THE Southern Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (SMAARRDEC) conducts the Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) on Coffee in Davao del Sur.
This worthwhile activity is held at the Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) Matti Campus in Digos, Davao del Sur from August 22 to 23.
The SMAARRDEC, a consortium of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) in Southern Mindanao, spearheaded the Coffee FIESTA, an endeavour which aims to promote and transfer technologies developed to improve the coffee industry in the region.
DOST-PCAARRD says the tapping of research and development outputs is as vital as the generation of new knowledge.
In fact, it is the use of knowledge which puts value on scientific outputs, PCAARRD pointed out.
Anchored on this principle, PCAARRD undertakes to bring the fruits of research and development (R&D) outputs to the producers of the commodity and the country’s agri-aqua-based enterprises for greater economic benefits in the countryside.
With this goal, PCAARRD envisions a system where agriculture-related activities are put together in an agricultural environment where the farmers, processors, distributors, and consumers can interact in a thriving agribusiness environment.
To realize this purpose, PCAARRD has conceptualized the FIESTA, which aims to enhance the interaction of technology generators and potential technology adopters and investors so as to facilitate the flow of technology and its use for greater economic benefit.
Aside from promoting agricultural novelties to enhance farming activities, FIESTA seeks to inspire the farmers and fisherfolk to elevate their economic livelihood from farm keepers to producers of products and services, thereby promoting entrepreneurial activities for the local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Through the FIESTA, PCAARRD is expected to heighten the traditional agricultural farming priorities from merely achieving agricultural productivity to a flourishing agribusiness-driven environment.
Therefore, FIESTA is seen as a tool to increase the value of agribusiness outputs, thereby contributing to inclusive growth.
Following this development, PCAARRD takes great pride in partnering with the SMAARRDEC and its collaborators in their effort to showcase, promote, and commercialize the technologies/innovations and inventions on coffee, and other related agricultural products.
PCAARRD says it fully supports SMAARRDEC’s preferences on the commodity as showcased in this event and its expected benefits in improving the lives of the farmers in Southern Mindanao.
“Indeed there are numerous technologies and products that have been generated from our various R&D efforts, and the need to diffuse them immediately is paramount. FIESTA provides a meaningful and productive venue for this purpose,” says PCAARRD acting Executive Director Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora.
According to Ebora, the Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) for Coffee is one of the programs that received a significant budget from the DOST-PCAARRD, adding that it has well-defined programs with clear outcomes.
FIESTA is expected to provide a venue for the discussion of new opportunities, challenges/issues in the supply chain of Southern Mindanao’s prized crops/commodities. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
