“The Southern Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (SMAARRDEC) has successfully contributed to the remarkable growth of industries in Davao region today.”
This was declared by Dr. Lourdes C. Generalao, Chair of SMAARRDEC and President of the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) during the opening of the “FIESTA sa Dabaw.”
Held at the Abreeza Ayala Mall in Davao City, the event is part of the 30th founding anniversary celebration of SMAARRDEC.
Generalao said that SMAARRDEC has been actively involved in various concerns in the region, most recent of which was the development of an effective protocol to manage and control the Fusarium wilt disease that plagues the region’s banana industry since 2012.
“FIESTA sa Dabaw” features major programs and technologies generated for significant regional commodities such as coconut, banana, mango, and sea cucumber.
Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda or FIESTA is a collaboration of SMAARRDEC and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
Conceptualized by PCAARRD, FIESTA aims to show the complete sphere of research and development as it treats with equal importance the whole agricultural value chain from production to processing to technology mainstreaming.
Through FIESTA, PCAARRD and its partners gather the various players of agricultural R&D, primarily the technology generators, farmers, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase regional agricultural, aquatic and natural resources (AANR) technologies, innovations, products, and services; assist in the diffusion of technologies for better farming opportunities; and provide a true encounter of various research and development beneficiaries to maximize the benefits of particular products and commodities.