PCAARRD will recognize the men and women as well as the institutions that have truly contributed in uplifting the state of agricultural R&D in this country through its Research and Development Exhibits and Awarding Ceremonies.
The event will be held at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City on November 8.
Prestigious awards will be conferred to deserving individuals and institutions who have helped in shaping up the country’s agricultural landscape. These awards include the best R&D paper; Pantas for outstanding scientists/researchers and research administrators; Tanglaw for outstanding research institutions; Ugnay for the best R&D Consortium; Elvira Tan Memorial Award for Outstanding Fisheries Publication; and the Professional Media Award for outstanding contributions of the regional media practitioners in technology diffusion.
With the theme “PCAARRD: Kaagapay sa Pag-unlad ng Industrya ng Sakahan at Pangisdaan”, the occasion will showcase PCAARRD’s efforts and that of its partners not only in generating productive and worthwhile technologies but also in pushing the commercialization of regional S&T-based agricultural products.
Exhibits, which will simultaneously be held during the awarding rites, will feature agricultural commodities being supported by the Council under its Industry Strategic S&T Plans (ISPs). These include cacao, organic coffee, papaya, rice, rubber, abaca, mango, protein enrichment of copra meal, algal paste, mudcrab, blue swimming crab, oyster, and mussel.
Designed for the development of the various industries integral in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sectors (AANR) sectors, the ISPs describe the targets for each industry and pinpoints the aspects of the industry where S&T will make a difference
The ISPs contribute to poverty alleviation and inclusive growth through food security, countryside development, developing competitive industries, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, and climate change mitigation/adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
Dr. Arsenio M. Balisacan, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) will be the event’s keynote speaker.
Balisacan’s keynoting the event is expected to accentuate the mutuality in the roles of NEDA and PCAARRD in terms of the formulation of national plans and policies for the agriculture and natural resources sectors, being among NEDA’s important roles.
A graduate of BS Agriculture and Agricultural Economics for his MS, enriched by his research interest in the field of agricultural economics, Balisacan proves to be a fine choice for the task of staging the vital link between agriculture and agriculture-based industries, and at the same time inspiring even more laudable accomplishments in agricultural R&D during the event.
Balisacan’s notable publications and discussion papers on agricultural growth and development include his “Policy reforms and agricultural development in the Philippines”; “Agricultural growth, landlessness, off-farm employment, and rural poverty in the Philippines”; and “Public choice of economic policy: the growth of agricultural protection.