Benito Vergara, nat’l scientist, dies at 81

The country mourns the loss of one of its prized scientists, Dr. Benito Vergara, who was conferred the title of National Scientist in 2001 for his feats in rice physiology, among others. He died last Saturday at the age of 81.

A statement from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which announced the renowned plant physiologist’s death, said Vergara gained recognition for his scientific and technological achievements in the field of rice physiology.

He also played a major role in communicating science to farmers through his popular work titled “A Farmer’s Primer on Growing Rice,” an illustrated manual that later was translated into 50 languages around the world.

DOST’s National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) of which he is a member said necrological services was held yesterday at the front lobby of the DOST main office in Bicutan, Taguig City.

He was interred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Academician Evelyn Mae Tecson-Mendoza of NAST said Vergara had more than 100 scientific publications.

His “A Farmer’s Guide Primer on Growing Rice” saw 50 editions and 50 translations, she said.

“Dr. Benito S. Vergara is recognized for his outstanding contributions to scientific knowledge on rice – its flowering response to photoperiod, deep water physiology, flood tolerance, cold tolerance, ratooning, growth, and development, rice herbage, UV-B and yield potential,” TecsonMendoza said.