ROXAS CITY, Capiz--The Western Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVAARRDEC) is conducting its Farms and Industry Encounters though the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) at the Capiz State University (CapSU) for the next three days starting April 8, 2019.
The event aims to showcase mature technologies produced by the consortium member agencies in Western Visayas in the field of agriculture, aquatic and natural resources (AANR) sector.
Adopting the theme “Iririmaw sa Pagtukib kag Pag-Uswag,” which means Convergence in Research and Development, this year’s FIESTA of WESVAARRDEC showcases for the second time darag native chicken, mango, bamboo, muscovado sugar, and green mussels following the conduct of its first FIESTA in November 2017.
As a technology promotion and transfer platform, this year’s FIESTA will feature the different technologies on the said commodities through technology pitching and matching, techno fora, and technology demonstrations.
Among the technologies to be featured are the ethbotanical dewormer for free range Darag native chicken production, supplemental feeds for native chicken, long line mussel production and good agricultural practices (GAP) in muscovado sugar, mango and bamboo production, which need to be disseminated for adoption and commercialization.
The event also include exhibits and bazaar and a cooking contest for innovative dishes using darag native chicken, mango, muscovado, and young bamboo shoots as ingredients.
The WESVAARRDEC FIESTA, on its first day, gave way to the launching of three important initiatives: the Panay Darag Breeders Association; Agri-Aqua Technology Business Cener at CapSU Dayao Campus; and the launching of the new WESVAARRDEC logo and Knowledge Management Center Data Bank System Portal.
The Los Baños-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) initiated FIESTA, an event-based modality, to facilitate the flow of technology from the laboratory to the market.
FIESTA showcases regional AANR technologies, innovations, breakthroughs, and products to target audiences and stakeholders through a mix of communication and promotion strategies.
The most important objective of FIESTA, though, is to effect the interaction among technology generators, adopters, and potential investors to enhance the transfer and commercialization of technologies. This is in keeping with DOST-PCAARRD objective to make science work not only for the benefit of the country’s farmers but also for its micro, small, and medium enterprises.
As such, FIESTA provides a venue for a gathering and exchange of ideas and concepts among researchers, technology adopters, and other interested parties towards making technology transfer more useful, adoptable and relevant.
To date, PCAARRD, together with its regional consortia, has already conducted 32 FIESTAs which include that of WESVAARRDEC.