MARAMAG, Bukidnon – The Northern Mindanao Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (NOMCAARRD) is holding its Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda from March 21-22 at the Central Mindanao University (CMU).
Adopting the theme, Harnessing the fruits of Research Development and Extension, the two-day event is featuring engineered bamboo and goat production technologies, hence the tagline Kawayan ug Kanding FIESTA (Bamboo and Goat FIESTA) sa NOMCAARRD.
Other innovative value-adding initiatives from NOMCAARRD member institutions are also featured during the two-day event.
The results of R&D initiatives being showcased in the event are within the areas of agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) especially those that are funded by DOST-PCAARRD.
Collaborating with NOMCAARRD in the conduct of the activity are its member agencies Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Center (NMACLRC)-Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 10 (DA–RFO 10); University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP)-Claveria; USTP-Cagayan; Mindanao State University (MSU) Naawan;Iligan Institute of Technology; and Liceo de Cagayan University.
Other collaborating agencies include the Bukidnon State University; Bureau of Fisheries and AquaticResources X,; DA-RFO X, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) X; Environment Research and Development Bureau (ERDB); Northwestern Mindanao State College of Science and Technology (NMSCST); National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) X, and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) X.
Farmers, investors, fisherfolk, industry partners, civil society organizations, students, extension workers, entrepreneurs, media people, scientists and researchers are also participating in the event.
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department (DOST-PCAARRD), which initiated FIESTA as a technology diffusion platform, funded the activity together with other agencies.
FIESTA is a PCAARRD event-based technology transfer modality that aims to promote S&T and its products towards providing competitive and profitable business ventures for the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the agriculture, aquatic and natural resources sectors of the country.
Various activities such as “Kapehan sa NOMCAARRD,” Technology to People (T2P), Technology Matching, Business Coaching and the Regional Symposium on Research, Development and Extension Highlights (RSRDEH) comprise the two-day event.
The “Kapehan sa NOMCAARRD,” which is done in collaboration with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP), Bukidnon Chapter will promote the FIESTA technologies including the NOMCAARRD’s services.
As an important technology transfer activity, technology matching facilitates the transfer of new technology from its source to its intended beneficiaries, with the aim of empowering micro, small and medium enterprises to boost local economy.
Experts from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are also participating in the event through business coaching. They present business opportunities and better marketing strategies to help farmers and entrepreneurs to improve their income.
Like a typical fiesta, there are also booth exhibits, free food product tasting, and skills contests. To make the event more interesting, NOMCAARRD will also provide field tours within the University, provide media coverage, and distribute information, education and communication (IEC) materials on the technologies being promoted. The new NOMCAARRD logo and video story was launched early this morning during the event’s opening ceremonies.
Several farmers fora will also be conducted during the event. These include a forum on goat production technology; smallholder goat-raising from a farmer’s perspective; mushroom production technology; and adlay production and management on the first day.
Other topics to be discussed on the second day include village-level establishment of bamboo nursery; prospects of engineered bamboo; mitigating soil erosion through bamboo plantation; bacterial wilt-free potato seed pieces production; and organic farming.
The NOMCAARRD FIESTA winds up with the conduct of the Regional Symposium for Research and Development Highlights (RSRDH).
Through the RSRDH, researches conducted by the different member agencies are evaluated. It promotes interaction between and among researchers, extension workers, the local government and other clienteles. It also provides venue for the discussion of the state of the art research and development activities in the region, among other benefits.