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The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) is all set for the annual conduct of the “15th Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Forum and Product Exhibition (NTF) and 32nd BAR Anniversary” on 14-16 August 2019 at the BAR Grounds, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.

With the theme, “NTF@15: Technologies from Agri-Fishery R&D as Catalyst for Sustainability and Competitiveness”, this year’s celebration highlights innovative technologies from research and development (R&D) that can lead to economic growth and spur competitiveness in the sector. The technologies featured in the event are developed and generated from BAR’s funded R&D projects and implemented by various R&D partner-institutions.

One of the highlights of this year’s celebration is the product exhibition of around 50 R&D partner-institutions from the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Offices (DA-RFOs), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) BFAR Regional Offices, selected state universities and colleges, non-government organizations, international organizations, and local government unit.

There will be a whole day of free seminar series on August 15 featuring lectures and product demonstrations from BAR-supported R&D initiatives. These include topics on: specialty coffee food products; community-based premium chocolate products; processing technologies for batuan and soybean products; vacuum-fried jackfruit processing; jackfruit production through cleft grafting; producing JOVIMIN balls, micronutrient supplements for ruminants; market potentials of jute fiber, sacks, and other products; and product demonstration of ginger candy and pastillas processing.

Also included in the lineup of activities are the awarding of Intellectual Property Rights Certificates and winners of the NTF Best Products (food and non-food categories). The IPR certificates are issued by the International Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPhil) through the assistance of BAR’s Intellectual Property Rights Unit. Meanwhile, the NTF Best Products is an annual award given to R&D partners that showcased unique and innovative product or technology from research. Entries are evaluated based on creativity and uniqueness; relevance to food security; health and wellness; good product attributes; packaging and labeling; and market potential and competitiveness.

In celebration of BAR’s 32nd anniversary, awards will be given to BAR employees who have rendered continuous and satisfactory service rendered in the government for a period of 10-40 years.

The three-day event is expected to gather visitors from the various stakeholders including agri-prenuers who can capitalize on the various R&D technologies and adopt them on a commercial scale. (Rita T. dela Cruz/DABAR)