Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar recognized the important roles of the Central Luzon Agriculture, Aquatic, and Resources Research and Development Consortium (CLAARRDEC) and the private sector in elevating the agriculture and fishery sector in the region.

Secretary Dar promoted the new thinking for agriculture aimed at increasing the harvest and income of farmers and fisherfolk during the “Central Luzon State University (CLSU) Forum on Unleashing Innovation in Modernizing the Agriculture Sector” on August 29, 2019.

He requested the CLAARRDEC to align its projects to the eight paradigms of the new thinking in agriculture such as modernization, industrialization, promotion of exports, farm consolidation, roadmap development, infrastructure development, higher budget, and legislative support.

Dar recognized the important role of the consortium in the region’s development.

In addition, the agri chief declared that the private sector is another strong partner of the Department of Agriculture and its staff bureaus and attached agencies.

Through the inclusive agribusiness approach, the private sector will help the farmers and fisherfolk reach new heights. “Let’s broaden our mindset to not only look at productivity but also agripreneuship,” Dar said. ### (Gumamela Celes Bejarin, DA-AFID)