Curriculum Vitae:

Name

:

Dr. Robert J. Holmer

Date of Birth

:

25 April 1964

Place of Birth

:

Rosenheim (Germany)

Nationality

:

German

Education

:

1991
Master of Science in Horticulture (Dipl. Ing. agr.)
Technische Universität München (Germany)

1998
Doctor in Agricultural Sciences (Dr. Agr.)
Technische Universität München (Germany)
Title of thesis: "Sustainable vegetable production for small farmers on problem soils in the highland of Bukidnon (Philippines) for fresh market and processing"
Grade: "sehr gut bestanden" (magna cum laude)

Work Experience

:

Since September 1, 2000:

CIM Integrated Expert for Urban Agriculture
Research Director
Xavier University College of Agriculture
Fr. W. Masterson Ave.
Manresa Farm
9000 Cagayan de Oro, Philippines

• Collaboration with other departments of XU, national and international agricultural organizations, government, non-government and farmers' organizations as well as with the private sector in the development of applied research and training programs to improve fruit and vegetable production and supply in Cagayan de Oro City and its neighboring provinces for fresh market and processing.

• Coordination of the EU-funded "GIS-based Environmental Resources Management and Food Security Project" in cooperation with the city government of Cagayan de Oro and project partners in Europe.

• Conduct of lectures in subjects 'Vegetable Crops', 'Principles of Soil Science' and 'Soil Fertility' at the Colege of Agriculture.

• Coordination of a project proposal to EU to integrate GIS in the curriculum.

• Represents the College in the Regional Technical Working Group at NOMCARRD (Northern Mindanao Consortium for Agricultural Resources Research and Development).

October 1, 1997 to August 31, 2000

Regional Project Manager
Periurban Vegetable Project (PUVeP)
European Commission Project No. IC18-CT97-0184
Xavier University College of Agriculture
Fr. W. Masterson Ave.
Manresa Farm
9000 Cagayan de Oro, Philippines

Coordination of the research consortium consisting of six project partners from Germany, France, Vietnam, Laos and the Philippines, including administrative and financial aspects. In-charge of preparing and submitting the annual scientific and financial reports to the donor agency. In-charge for the research work of project partner Xavier University with supervision of five research technicians, two administrative staff, four field foreman as well as up to twenty field laborers. Conduct of socioeconomic surveys on vegetable production, consumption and marketing in three Southeast Asian cities: Cagayan de Oro (Philippines), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) and Vientiane (Laos). Coordination and conduct of experiments related to fertilization, integrated pest management, nutrition, water management and crop improvement of tomato, sweet and hot pepper, eggplant, head cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and several legumes under tropical lowland conditions. Linkaging with local government units on transfer of research results for commercial application, among those drafting a project proposal to UNDP on organic fertilizer production from city waste in Cagayan de Oro.

Chairman of the Research Committee of Xavier University College of Agriculture.

January 1 to September 20, 1997

Technische Universität München (Germany)
Institute of Vegetable Science
85350 Freising, Germany

Conceptualization and finalizing of a research proposal to the INCO-DC program of the European Commission on "Urban and periurban small-and medium sized enterprise development for sustainable vegetable production and marketing systems/Periurban Vegetable Project (PUVeP)" with a total funding volume of 770,000 Euro.

January 1 to December 31, 1996

Head, Soils & Plant Nutrition Section

Bukidnon Resources Co., Inc.
Research & Development Department
Diklum Manolo Fortich
8703 Bukidnon, Philippines

Main activities comprised of design and conduct as well as coordination of research studies on organic and inorganic nutrition as well as water management, particularly drip irrigation, of tomatoes, vegetable soybean and mungbean under tropical upland conditions. Supervision of three research technicians, one laboratory assistant and several dozens of field workers.

September 1, 1993 to December 31, 1995

Associated Researcher

Technische Universität München (Germany)
Institute for Vegetable Science
c/o Bukidnon Resources Inc., Co. (BRCI)
Diklum Manolo Fortich
8703 Bukidnon, Philippines

Conduct of experiments for Ph.D. thesis (GTZ-funded) with the topic "Sustainable vegetable production for small farmers on problem soils in the highland of Bukidnon (Philippines) for fresh market and processing" as Associated Researcher at the Research & Development Department of BRCI, a private tomato paste processing company.

1991 - 1993

Research Assistant

Technische Universität München (Germany)
Institute of Vegetable Science
85350 Freising, Germany

Coordination of research activities in the experimental station. Design and write-up of project proposals in the field of horticultural research and submission to different funding agencies.

 Memberships

:

International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS)

Arbeitsgemeinschaft Tropische und Subtropische Agrarforschung e.V. (ATSAF)

Philippine Fruit Association (PFA)

External Referee for Impact, Research Journal of the Mindanao Polytechnic State College, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines

Publications

:

Click here

Awards

:

• Adopted Son of Cagayan de Oro City (City Council Resolution No. 6142-2003 dated August 4, 2003)

• 1st Best Technical Poster Award 12th NOMCARRD Regional Symposium on R&D Highlights, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, August 10-11, 2000

• 1st Best Technical Poster Award 11th NOMCARRD Regional Symposium on R&D Highlights, Claveria, Misamis Oriental, July 28-29, 1999

• 2nd Best Information for Dissemination Award 12th NOMCARRD Regional Symposium on R&D Highlights, August 10-11, 2000, MPSC, Cagayan de Oro City

• 2nd Best Information for Dissemination Award 11th NOMCARRD Regional Symposium on R&D Highlights, Claveria, Misamis Oriental, Philippines, July 28-29, 1999 

• 3rd Best Technical Poster Award 11th NOMCARRD Regional Symposium on R&D Highlights, Claveria, Misamis Oriental, July 28-29, 1999

• 3rd Best Award Development Category 13th NOMCARRD Regional Symposium on R&D Highlights, Farmers'/Investors Forum and Media Conference, August 9-11, 2001, NOMIARC, Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Philippines

• 3rd Best Information for Dissemination Award 12th NOMCARRD Regional Symposium on R&D Highlights, August 10-11, 2000, MPSC, Cagayan de Oro City