Written by Ricardo R. Argana, DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Service

 

 

Abaca hybrids resistant to abaca bunchy top virus (ABTV) at the abaca tissue culture laboratory, Visayas State University (VSU) (Photo by Allan B. Siano)

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will showcase the best of its agri-aqua research and development (R&D) outputs generated from 2010 to 2016 in an event dubbed as SIPAG FIESTA on March 2 to 4.  

SIPAG reflects the vision and direction of S&T as laid down in the Council’s Strategic Industry S&T Program for Agri-Aqua Growth (SIPAG). It also embodies the Council’s commitment to Outcome One of DOST-PCAARRD in a bid to ensure that the fruits of R&D activities for the said sectors will be a blessing for every Juan, in keeping with the President’s social contract.    

A brood of native chickens raised in a farmer’s backyard -one of the technologies to be featured in SIPAG FIESTA (Photo from the Livestock Research Division, PCAARRD)

Outcome One, the foremost of DOST’s eight major Outcomes, seeks to provide the agri-aqua sectors with science-based know-how and tools that will enable the said sectors to raise productivity to world-class standards.
Meanwhile, DOST-PCAARRD’s Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda or FIESTA, one of the Council’s technology diffusion strategies, typifies a fiesta atmosphere created to enhance agri-aqua technology transfer and commercialization. 
DOST-PCAARRD uses FIESTA as a technology transfer strategy, inasmuch as the venue can effectively showcase the various R&D initiatives of government research institutions in the form of agri-aqua technology or products. These products are certainly common in every Fiesta celebration, hence a profitable venue for micro, small, and medium enterprises. 
Government research institutions engaged in agri-aqua concerns, have generated a wide array of technology that has either improved or provided significant outputs. Among such outputs are on alternative fuel, food delicacies, processed food products, wines, grains, fruits, vegetables, furniture and even clothes— goods that complement a true fiesta celebration.

The soft shell crab hatchery technology will be featured in the upcoming SIPAG FIESTA (Photo from the Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division, PCAARRD)

SIPAG FIESTA will feature exhibits, techno forum, techno demo, and other ancillary activities to showcase the best R&D outputs of the Council and its partners.  Most importantly it shall serve as a venue for market matching and commercialization of S&T-based technologies and products.
The best technologies on various agricultural commodities such as coconut, banana, shrimp, abaca, slaughter goat, native chicken, mangrove crab, and seaweeds, among other commodities, shall be featured during the event.
One of the highlights of the SIPAG FIESTA is the maiden opening of the DOST-PCAARRD Innovation and Technology Center (DPITC). As a technology diffusion platform, among other functions, the DPITC will house a modern exhibition hub, a digital library, a conference facility, and a business hub.