From working student to Executive: Filipino scholar champions Rice-Duck Farming and the Beyond Copra project

Jose Apollo Pacamalan took the oath of office as the Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture Region 10 in May 2024 before DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. He is an advocate for rice-duck farming and the Beyond Copra Project.Credit: Supplied

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In his younger years, Jose Apollo Pacamalan worked as a market laborer, a farmer, and a copra gatherer just to put himself through school. His hard work eventually led him to the Australian Open Category Scholarship program. Now, as the Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture, he is giving back to farmers by sharing the knowledge he has gained.

Key Points

In 2004, he was accepted into the Australian Open Category Scholarship Program and pursued a Master of Environmental Management and Sustainability at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia.
In 2018, he was among the recipients of the Flinders University Alumni Awards and was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award for his significant contributions to the rice farming industry in the Philippines, particularly for leading the Integrated Rice-Duck Farming System.
The national government plans to use the Beyond Copra project in Misamis Oriental as a model and establish Integrated Coconut Processing facilities across the country. Through Beyond Copra, every part of the coconut is utilised efficiently.

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From working student to Executive: Filipino scholar champions Rice-Duck Farming and the Beyond Copra project

SBS Filipino

11/03/202511:57

Jose Apollo Pacamalan Rice-Duck Farming System.jpg

Jose Apollo Pacamalan at a farm in the Philippines where rice-duck farming is practiced. Supplied

[Bottom most right] Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Pacamalan of the Department of Agriculture Region 10 received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Flinders University, South Australia, in 2019 for pioneering the Integrated Rice-Duck Farming System—a climate-smart innovation that enhances farmer safety, boosts productivity, and ensures healthier rice. Credit: Flinders University Credit: Tania Bawden

Jose Apollo Pacamalan, oath-taking ceremony.jpg

Jose Apollo Pacamalan took the oath of office as Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture Region 10 in May 2024, before DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. Credit: Supplied

Jose Apollo Pacamalan and his family had a photo opportunity after his oath-taking with Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. Credit: Supplied

Jose Apollo Pacamalan and his siblings celebrated his success on the day of his oath-taking ceremony as Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture Region 10. Supplied