Agriculture Secretary William Dar stressed the important roles of state universities and colleges (SUCs) and research and development (R&D) institutions in pushing the growth of agriculture and fisheries sector.
“SUCs must reshape their curricular program based on the challenges and opportunities of the region. They must become the Research and Innovation University of the region. They must produce highly knowledgeable and skilled human capital for agri-industrial development of the region,” Dar enumerated.
He added that SUCs must develop models of farm consolidation that is export- and market-oriented, models of inclusive agribusiness anchored on value chain system, and models to engage more the youth in agriculture and agribusiness.
According to Dar, they must also be the leader in digitalization of agriculture in the region and the leader in developing demand-driven and market-oriented research and extension system.
“We need to as much as we could produce food for this country,” the Secretary said as he mentioned that the current rice adequacy level of the country is at 85 percent.
Dar also requested R&D institutions to have a purposeful impact assessment of the top technologies they have developed and do much targeted research that will produce relevant technologies that will make farmers and fisherfolk more competitive.
He said that the DA will help enhance the competitive edge of SUCs by funding their projects.
“The DA will be there to strongly support the establishment of the Philippine Corn Institute at Isabela State University (ISU Echague),” Dar said following Isabela Fourth District Representative Alyssa Sheena Tan’s proposal that will enhance the province’s corn production.
Through the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), the DA will also assist in the establishment of mushroom and citrus centers at ISU.
Dar recognized the need for stronger partnership of DA with SUCs and R&D organizations during the 41st anniversary celebration of the Cagayan Valley Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development (CVAARRD) Consortium held in ISU Echague on December 12, 2019. ### (Gumamela Celes Bejarin, DA-AFID)
