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[av_heading heading=’ URBAN FARMER ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY JULIO P. YAP JR.
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THE Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Program or ViCAARP showcased the research and development gains of jackfruit as a primary commodity with three other products coconut, pineapple, and shellfish during a recent two-day event.
As a technology transfer platform, the FIESTA (Farm-Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda) on “Jackfruit at Iba Pa” is one of the activities in connection with the Visayas State University’s (VSU’s) 93rd anniversary celebrations in Baybay, Leyte.
Farmers, officials, and faculty members of the VSU, ViCAARP, and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCAARRD-DOST), and other concerned agencies joined the event.
FIESTA, as a technology transfer and commercialization platform, gathers 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.
Dr. Edwin C. Villar, PCAARRD deputy executive director for research and development, delivered the keynote message during the event’s opening.
Aside from jackfruit, the VSU FIESTA also showcased three other agricultural commodities – pineapple, coconut, and shellfish.
Villar explained the relevance of FIESTA as a traditional celebration among Filipinos in relation to PCAARRD’s FIESTA, as a technology transfer and commercialization platform.
FIESTA provides much relevance in showcasing the many gains of research and development in the AANR sectors.
As 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.
The FIESTA on Jackfruit, together with pineapple, coconut, and shellfish showcases the latest developments and technologies generated by the country’s researchers and the potential opportunities that these commodities and their by-products offer to their respective industries.
PCAARRD recognizes the combined effort of the member agencies of the Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Program on research and development, which enabled the consortium to respond to the challenge posed by the Philippine Development Plan in bringing the fruits of science and technology to everyone especially to the marginalized farmers and fisherfolk in the countryside.
Participants of the FIESTA on Jackfruit at Iba Pa also had their share of slices of jackfruits after the opening ceremonies of the event.
The event aimed to showcase and promote technologies of Eastern Visayas with emphasis on jackfruit by providing a venue for active interactions among farmers, industry players, and the research and development stakeholders.
Showcased during the FIESTA exhibit and forum were the different production and post-production technologies as well as jackfruit processed products.
With the Jackfruit CookFest and the Search for the Best Jackfruit Processed Product, the FIESTA on Jackfruit at Iba Pa also helped in identifying the various jackfruit recipes which can be developed with jackfruit as main ingredient. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
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