The growing consumer demand for healthy food and the agricultural sector’s clamor for increased productivity and income motivated the Bicol Consortium for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (BCARRD) to conduct a Regional Techno Gabay Summit and TechnoMart Forum and Exhibit.
Themed as “BCARRD: Providing S&T for Healthy Options and Wealth Creation in Farming Communities”, the two-in-one activity was held on September 2-3 at the Pacific Mall Entertainment Plaza in Legazpi City.
Technical experts from different state universities and colleges, partner member agencies (PMAs), Magsasaka Siyentistas (MSs), and Techno Gabay Program (TGP) local teams from the different provinces in the Bicol Region participated in in the event.
PCARRD Deputy Director for Institution Development and Resource Management Richard M. Juanillo and Technology Outreach and Promotion Division Acting Director Arturo S. Argañosa were among the resource speakers.
The first day of activity commenced with a motorcade and an opening of exhibits showcasing the PMAs’ products. Legazpi Mayor Carmen Geraldine B. Rosal welcomed the participants and stressed the importance of adopting S&T (science and technology) in agriculture.
Engr. Manuel B. Lucerna representing Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Director Tomas B. Brinas gave the opening remarks and conveyed the continued support of DOST to BCARRD and its member agencies in its effort to promote S&T innovation in the agriculture, forestry and natural resources sectors.
Dr. Fay Lea Partia M. Lauraya, president of Bicol University (BU) and chairman of the Regional Research and Development Consortium Council likewise emphasized the vital role of S&T in bridging agricultural production to consumption. She reiterated the phrase “from the mind to the market” to highlight TechnoMart’s goals and objectives.
The keynote speaker, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, was represented by DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar. He mentioned the various research and development programs of DA-BAR in the country especially in the area of organic agriculture. He also emphasized the prospects of Bicol agricultural products for market competitiveness.
A media conference and a TechnoMart forum followed the opening program.
The second day of the activity, on the other hand, focused on organic farming practices presented by selected MSs. After the presentations was the awarding of outstanding MS, Farmers Information and Technology Service centers, and PMAs. Posthumous awards were given as well.
Mr. Ramon D. Peñalosa, Jr., MS of FITS, Office of the Provincial Agriculture Negros Occidental was the keynote speaker during the Techo Gabay (TG) forum. He discussed the organic farming strategies and practices employed in his farm including some of the problems he encountered and the solutions he undertook.
Peñalosa also stressed the importance of finding a market niche and innovating in farming. He also encouraged the MS to be an agri-preneur (agricultural entrepreneur) to improve their productivity and profitability.
The activity concluded with a message from Dr. Ninfa R. Pelea, Director of BCARRD. She thanked all the participants, DOST Region 5, PCARRD, PMAs, and her staff for the support extended to make the summit a success. She assured the participants that the consortium will continue to provide such activities to showcase the application of S&T-based technologies that will bring about agricultural development in the Bicol Region.