BAGUIO CITY – Researches of the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera were reviewed during the Agency In-House Review held at the Baguio Animal Breeding Research Center (BABRC), Dontogan, Baguio City on September 26-27, 2023.
The researches cover commodities such as commercial rice, traditional/heirloom rice, corn and mushroom which are in-line with the Regional Integrated Research Development Agenda and Program (RIRDEAP) 2022-2028. The studies address research and extension areas which included varietal characterization and evaluation; mechanization; and technology, systems, and protocols.
One of the studies presented focused on the establishment of a Technology Business Incubation (TBI) at DA-CAR which aims to enhance capacity of research-based business incubators in assisting agri-fisheries technology-based enterprises in the region.
The TBI addresses the thematic areas on post-harvest processing and marketing as stipulated in the RIRDEAP. It also aims to support farmers and fisherfolk entrepreneurs to commercialize its matured technologies leading to enterprise development.
During the activity, Nicasio S. Baucas, the OIC-Chief of the Research Division, mentioned that the activity was designed for discussion of critical problems in the conduct of research so that the results will be used for extension and by the farmers, the target clientele.
Meanwhile, Dr. Arlene Sagayo, the OIC-Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations encouraged the Research Division to give updates of the conducted researches during the Management Committee meeting. She also challenged the Research Outreach Stations by saying, “I encourage the BABRC to have its researches aside from being focused in the production of quality stocks and planting materials. Document the data on the technologies.”
Evaluators were Dr. Magdalena T. Wanawan, retired Chief of the Research Division; Dr. Virginia A. Tapat, retired Chief of the Field Operations Division and Dr. Lois June Fermin, the Chief Aquaculturist of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-CAR.
Participants were researchers from the Research Division and its three Research Outreach Stations (BABRC, ROS-Rizal, Kalinga and ROS-Luna, Apayao) and staff from the Field Operations Division specifically from the Corn Program, Rice Program and the Organic Agriculture Program. By Sherry Antonio