BAGUIO CITY – Addressing the need to further improve the agriculture sector in the region through research and development (R&D), different divisions and banner programs of the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera (DA-CAR) convened to identify critical areas of research on Thursday, February 15.
DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn Dawayan endorsed this initiative for the Research Division (ResD) to synchronize the research efforts of the department. A vital aspect of this effort involves recognizing crucial technology and information gaps for R&D.
Ahead of the activity, ResD requested divisions and banner programs to submit proposed titles of their researchable areas. Participating banner programs included the High-Value Crops Development, Rice, Corn and Cassava, and Organic Agriculture.
Regional Agricultural Engineering Division, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, and Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section also submitted their research titles.
Once research gaps are identified, the next step involves drafting research proposals for screening and in-house review. Approved proposals would then proceed for actual research and study composition.
The activity also introduced the Regional Integrated Research, Development, Extension Agenda, and Program (RIRDEAP). This five-year plan serves as a guide for writing and conducting research on various commodities such as rice, corn, cassava, vegetables, coffee, and fruits. This plan underwent validation in 2021 by stakeholders, including local government units and state universities and colleges.
Some of the research titles proposed include ‘Comparative growth of cacao grown in highland and upland condition,’ ‘Pest and disease management for heirloom rice,’ ‘Market demand analysis on white corn for processing,’ ‘Feasibility study on the establishment of an organic hub,’ ‘Identifying constraints in implemented vegetable packaging facilities,’ and ‘Effectiveness of radio in information dissemination,’ among others.
Nicasio Baucas, OIC-Chief of ResD, emphasized the importance of this long-overdue initiative in addressing identified gaps within each researchable area, which will benefit the agricultural community. “We view each other as catalysts for change and development partners. We consider you (fellow colleagues) as collaborators equally dedicated to advancing agriculture and improving the lives of farmers,” Baucas remarked.
“In our pursuit of sustainable agricultural development, we continually evaluate the agricultural landscape and identify areas where technology and information are lacking,” he added. By JBPeralta
