THE GOVERNMENTS of Australia and the Philippines have partnered anew for a stronger agricultural research and development (R&D) efforts.
This development came after Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) was recently appointed as a member of the Policy Advisory Council (PAC) of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
ACIAR PAC plays a key role in the planning and implementation of ACIAR’s international agricultural research portfolio.
It also provides advice to Australia’s Foreign Minister on problems in the agriculture sector of developing countries and on the appropriate policies and programs to address the problems.
Ebora was appointed by the Australian government through the Honorable Marise Payne, its Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Ebora was also appointed for his role and contribution in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector, where he will serve as member of the ACIAR PAC for three years.
As the apex council of the country’s AANR sector, PCAARRD is engaged in active partnerships with international, regional, and national organizations and funding institutions for joint R&D, human resource development and training, technical assistance, and exchange of scientists, information, and technologies.
PCAARRD has been implementing its programs primarily through its Research and Development and Extension Consortia which are located all over the country.
Effective July 17, Ebora will have the opportunity to ensure that concerns of the Philippine AANR sector will be considered in the agricultural research portfolio of ACIAR to consequently benefit our country’s research agencies, universities, farmers’ organizations, and other stakeholders in the private sector.
It will also be a strategic venue for Ebora to share the Philippines’ experience and learn from Australia’s best practices in addressing agricultural issues and opportunities faced by small-holder farmers and fisherfolk.
For more than 36 years, PCAARRD and ACIAR have been strong partners in terms of agricultural R&D and in promoting R&D results to advance agricultural competitiveness.
The partnership also strengthens the policy system and monitoring and evaluation of the PCAARRD-ACIAR joint projects and programs.
At present, PCAARRD and ACIAR continue to share a common objective to reduce poverty and concomitant hunger problems by investing in agricultural R&D.
PCAARRD is one of the sectoral councils under the DOST that was tasked to provide a unified and focused direction for the country’s agricultural research.
With expanded coverage, functions, and responsibilities, the PCAARRD formulates policies, plans, and programs for science and technology-based R&D in the different sectors under its concern.
It also allocates government and external funds for R&D and generates resources to support its program.
Being an ISO 9001:2015-certified agency for its quality management system, PCAARRD is committed to achieving a sustained dynamic leadership in S&T innovation in the AANR sector by providing a strategic leadership in promoting S&T as a platform for AANR products innovation and environment resiliency.
Guided by its core values, PCAARRD will remain steadfast in catalyzing the Philippine AANR sector toward self-sufficiency and global competitiveness./PN
