Being A Different Kind Of CV

Globally Yours, William Dar

Today Danumán, tomorrow the world!? Today, the drylands.

It’s the water. There is pleasant irony in the fact that William Dollente Dar comes from a village called Danumán West in the lowlands of Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, Philippines while he was ensconced as the Chair of the Committee on Science & Technology (CST) starting at the September 3-14 meeting of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), with 191 countries having signed the Convention – a very high honor. Danumán indicates, from danúm (water in Ilocano, his native tongue) a waterlogged or watery place while desertification suggests all sand and hardly a drop of moisture. Extremes. Givens that he learned to accept and work from there.

Where he is now, Dar is high and dry, safe above the water, although with a new, top-level responsibility. He is quietly happy for this added window of service to peoples in Africa, Asia, Latin America. It shows in his face. He is quite happy with his family, with lovely wife Beatriz Meria and his beautiful girls May, Celeste, Christine. The only boy, William Jr, died young, but they have gotten over that. You overcome a tragedy before it overcomes you.

This happy story begins 1953 April 10, when a boy was born. Let us now trace his intellectual growth from grade school to graduate studies, 1959 to 1980, on to achievements.

He finished his elementary education at the Santa Maria West Central School in his hometown. That means he grew up in a semi-arid tropical site, a water-challenged zone. Much of the Ilocos Region is in need of soil moisture to nourish the crops grown there: rice, tobacco, cotton, corn, onion.

In 1969, he graduated from the Ilocos Sur Agricultural College as Valedictorian. That means he can excel in his studies when he wants to. High school can either be the best or the worst years of your life as a student.

In 1973, he finished his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education at the MountainState Agricultural College (MSAC, now the Benguet State University or BSU). That means he knows how to teach, construct lesson plans, measure the outcome of his own teaching. That means he knows his parliamentary procedures, having been a member of the Future Farmers of the Philippines (FFP) in those years.

In 1976, he obtained his Master of Science in Agronomy from MSAC. That means he knows his soil management, land cultivation and crop production.

In 1980, he received his Doctor of Philosophy in Horticulture from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). That means he knows flowers, fruits and vegetables grown in appropriate places: orchards, gardens, greenhouses.

From Education to Agronomy to Horticulture; further, I see many other paradigm shifts as I trace his ascent from management technician in rural Philippines to Chair of a UN committee on science and technology. The many paradigm shifts in his life explains why he has a flexible touch of management, a wide grasp of dreams and realities in the field; why he is innovative, adaptive; how he has come to know, seemingly instinctively, the value of partnerships. His published books, much of the content being invited lectures, display his grasp of science in the mind of the scientist, different from science in the mind of the policymaker, different from science in the mind of the entrepreneur, different from science in the mind of the poor. ‘Science with a human face,’ he calls it.

He was Farm Management Technician for the Bureau of Agricultural Extension of the Department of Agriculture, assigned in Benguet Province from February to May in 1973, a new BS graduate. The Technician was expected to advise traditional farmers on modern farming.

Within the same year, from Technician, he graduated to Teacher at the Baguio City High Schooland taught there from 1973 to 1975. From farm to classroom was a professional switch, a paradigm shift from working with the hard-to-move minds of farmers to working with the moldable minds of students.

He moved on to MSAC and taught there and stayed, rising from Instructor I in 1975 toInstructor V in 1977, Assistant Professor in 1979, Professor III in 1981, Planning Development Officer in 1982, Special Assistant to the President for Research, Planning and Development in 1983, Professor VI in 1986, Vice President for R&D Support Services of BSU (the old MSAC) in 1987. Not many people can rise from an equivalent Teacher to Assistant Principal like he rose from Instructor to VP in only 12 years. He was Research Coordinator of the Highland Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium of PCARRD from 1979 to 1987. He had a project funded by the Ford Foundation, the ‘Highland Rural Development Project,’ promoting participatory R&D and harnessing modern as well as traditional technologies to increase productivity in highland soils. MSAC, PCARRD, BSU, Ford Foundation must have sensed that they were dealing with someone with extraordinary mind, manner, method.

Then another paradigm shift. From being VP for R&D Support Services at BSU, we next find him in 1986 as a member of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Crop Science Societies of the Philippines (FCSSP). In 1987, he became the founding Director of the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), a new agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA). Under him, BAR set out to rationalize agriculture-related R&D as well as the resources in support of programs and projects all over the country. He stayed there for 7 years, up to 1994, effectively directing the flow of the science of agriculture as input and output, soon making BAR a credible, respected government agency.

And yet another paradigm shift. From managing R&D for agriculture, he went on to managing R&D in other fields, becoming Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) in 1994. Here, he was also Godfather to one brainchild after another: Magsasakang Siyentista or Farmer-Scientist Program (FSP); the Farmers’ Information & Technology Services (FITS) arm of PCARRD, with FITS strategically located in the regions. The FSP treated farmers as co-developers of technology; the FITS was the disseminator of technology, both software and hardware. He was head of PCARRD up to 1998.

And another shift. After PCARRD, he rose again and became Secretary of the Department of Agriculture in 1998. He was the first and still the only UP Los Baños graduate to head that office; he stayed up to 1999. Those were troubled times for Philippine agriculture, the country being visited by the El Niño phenomenon in 1997-1998, with 90% of the archipelago receiving 50% less rainfall than usual (interrogate.info). When Mother Nature acts, man can only react.

Within 1999, he became Presidential Adviser on Food Security and Rural Development, as well as Chairman-Coordinator of the National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC) and Executive Director of NAFC, Office of the President. He was now in a position to influence the highest executive of the land in matters of agriculture. The Instructor in a small college in rural Benguet was now the Food Security Adviser to the President. He had a Room with a View at the Top on Philippine agriculture and what ails it and what can make it well again.

And then again, another paradigm shift, this time a giant leap from Presidential Adviser toDirector General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), an international institute with hundreds of staff, based in faraway India, in 2000. As start, he advocated a Grey to Green Revolution in the semi-arid tropics of Africa and Asiathrough Science with a Human Face. He spurred a new vision, mission and strategy for the Institute; he sought or strengthened strategic partnerships with stakeholders – national agricultural research systems, research institutes, NGOs, development agencies, private sector. He molded the staff of the Institute into Team ICRISAT and transformed the agency from going under to being on top, from loser to winner of awards (among others, 2 King Baudouin awards under Dar, from CGIAR), from lackluster to Outstanding overall performance applauded by no less than the World Bank, which awarded ICRISAT this year a US$2.4 grant. Reward is a sincere form of flattery.

That’s not surprising. He is a prophet, in the sense of predictor of events. Peter Drucker says, ‘The best way to predict the future is to invent it.’ William Dar invents it in his mind and makes things happen to realize it.

Now, William Dar is a prophet not without honor in his own country. He was honored with the most prestigious Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) award (Jaycees International,Philippines) in 1988, Outstanding Science Administrator (Dioscoro Umali Medal, Department of Science & Technology) in 1997, Outstanding Young Scientist of the Year (Agriculture) (NationalAcademy of Science & Technology) in 1995.

As an alumnus, he received the awards Kalsa: The Most Distinguished Alumnus Award (BSU) in 2006, Anahaw Leaf Award: Most Outstanding Alumnus (Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College) in 2003, Outstanding Professional in Agriculture (UP Alumni Association) in 1996,Distinguished Alumnus in Research Management (UPLB Alumni Association, College of Agriculture) in 1995, Outstanding Alumnus (BSU) in 1991, Outstanding Alumnus (UPLB Alumni Association, Metro Manila Chapter) in 1990.

In management, he received the Research Leadership Excellence Award (Philippine Association of Research Managers or PhilARM, its top award) in 2004, Achievement Award for Research Management (Crop Science Society of the Philippines, or CSSP), Symbol of Excellence in R&D Management (PCARRD, its highest and most prestigious award) in 2002.

Middle of this year, 2007, he was chosen by the Professional Regulation Commission of thePhilippines as the Outstanding Professional of the Year in Agriculture. He received the Golden Grain Award from the Central Luzon State University for his intense pro-poor advocacy in 2004. He was conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Science by the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in 2003.

And more than outstanding outside his country. He is the first Filipino and Asian to be Director General of ICRISAT (and rewarded with a second term, up to 2010 yet), as well as the first Filipino Chair of the Alliance Executive of the Alliance of Centers (AoC) in 2005, the AoC being the collegial body that enables collective action among the 15 centers of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), which is supported both by the World Bank and FAO. With his exceptional leadership as Chair, the AoC was made the third pillar of the CGIAR system. There’s always a first time.

Still abroad, he has received other distinctions. The Vietnamese government conferred on him the For the Sake of Agriculture and Rural Development in Vietnam Award in 2003. He wasChair of the Public Awareness & Resource Mobilization Committee of the CGIAR, 2001-2002. He was a Member of the UN Millennium Task Force on Hunger (2004-2006). He also served asMember of the Policy Advisory Council of the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR, 1997), Member of the Board of Trustees of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT, 1997-1999), Member of the Governing Board of ICRISAT (1997-1999), Oversight Committee of the CGIAR (1997-1999). He was Chair of the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI, 1994-1996), as well asChair of the Governing Board of the UN/ESCAP Coarse Grains, Pulses Research and Training Centre (CGPRTC) in Indonesia 1991-1993.

In other respects, he was Affiliate Professor of the Institute of Environmental Science & Management (IESAM) of UP Los Baños in 1997. He was Chair of the Council for Partnership on Rice Research in Asia (COPRA) and Project Manager of the Mango Information Network of PCARRD, both 1997-1998. He was President of the PCARRD Scholars Association andHonorary Fellow of CSSP in 1996. He was Vice President of the Conservation Farming Movement 1995-1997. He was President of and became a Life Member of the CSSP and the Society for the Advancement of the Vegetable Industry (SAVI) in 1995. He was Project Director of the Development Support Communication for International Agricultural Technology Transfer Projects (FAO-UNDP) 1994-1995. He was Chair of the National Council Committee of the Plant Genetic Resources of the Philippines 1994-1998. In 1994, he was National Coordinator of the UN-FAO Underutilized Tropical Fruits in Asia Network; in the same year, he was a Member of the following bodies: Technical Panel for Agricultural Education of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Governing Board of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Academic Consultative Committee-Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). He was a Member of the Governing Board of the Cotton Research and Development Institute (CRDI) 1987-1998.

From 1995 to 1998, he was a Member of the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development under the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). From 1994, he has been aMember of the National Selection Committee for the UNDP Global Environmental Facility-Small Grants Programme. From 1993, he has been Chair of the National Coordinating Committee of the Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources Management-Collaborative Research Support Program (SANREM-CRSP) funded by the USAID.

One can see and expect from him passion, purpose and people-oriented procedure in whatever he does. He has turned around ICRISAT from loser to champion status by managing science with a human face, by deciding on the basis of the Big Picture, by innovating, by arousing a positive attitude and nurturing high morale among the staff, all with integrity.

ICRISAT is a non-profit, non-political center of R&D in crops for the drylands of Africa, Asia andAmerica; it is based near Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, India. The Institute is under the aegis of CGIAR. Before him, ICRISAT was floundering. Three years after he took over, in 2003, ICRISAT passed two reviews by the CGIAR, the findings of which acknowledged outstanding science quality, sound and excellent management. This energized ICRISAT into designing its further transformation and renewal into becoming a leading institution of science and technology for the peoples of the semi-arid tropics in the 21^st century. That same year, 2003, ICRISAT leaped from almost lost to second place among the 15 CGIAR Centers in terms of financial health based on World Bank standards. From then on, ICRISAT thrived, showing surplus budgets in 2004, 2005, 2006.

A visionary, last year, he led Team ICRISAT into formulating the new Vision and Strategy to 2015, a roadmap towards empowering the poor millions in the drylands. So that the poor may not always be with us.

He has published many books and articles in print and electronic media. An indefatigable speaker, he has lectured internationally, on different topics. Since 1990, starting with Basic Elements Of Farming Systems Approach And Extension (with BAR), he has published 17 books. To cite a few more: In 1995, it was Support For Agricultural Research System In Southeast Asia – Impact On Growth And Development (APAARI, FAO); in 1996,Reshaping The National Agricultural And Natural Resources R&D System(PCARRD); in 1998, Building Partnership And Capacity: A Centennial Achievement Of PCARRD. Not counting 2007, in the last 7 years, the list of his books clearly indicates where ICRISAT went and is going forward:

2000: Bringing Science With A Human Face To The Semi-Arid Tropics
2001: Towards A Grey To Green Revolution: Turning Adversity Into Opportunity
2002: Building A Strong ICRISAT For A Food-Secure SAT
2003: ICRISAT Moving Forward In The Service Of The SAT
2004: ICRISAT’s Turnaround: Strategic Partnerships For Impact
2005: Germinating The Seeds Of Success In The Semi-Arid Tropics
2006: Nurturing Life In The Drylands Of Hope.

If I may summarize in 5 words what his books all espouse, it’s these: science with a pro-poor face.

This week, his being elected Chair of the science committee of the UN body on desertification is both a crown of personal achievement and a challenge for global leadership. This requires that he further widen his view and think not only of the semi-arid tropics but of 191 countries who have signed the UN Convention in a common fight against the desertification, that is, the denudation of lands and degrading of soils in much of the world. When the trees go, the watershed goes; when the land is abused, the nutrients go with the water down the river.

The fight against global warming may be seen as one against carbon dioxide pollution, a good fight, that which Al Gore with his prophetic leadership is now at home with. The fight against desertification may be seen as one for the intelligent use of water, a good fight, that which William Dar with his inspired leadership should be at home with.

Also published by the American Chronicle in a slightly different version.
Copyright 2007 September 17 by Frank A Hilario