Agriculture, fisheries, and veterinary medicine students of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) joined the 2025 Direction of Agri-Fishery Learners in the North (DALIN), with their active participation in activities aiming to advance regional agri-fishery education.

DALIN was launched by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 1 in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources regional offices, on September 19 in San Fernando City, La Union.

Anchored on the theme “Exploring Agricultural and Fisheries Innovations at the DA RFO1 Research Stations and BFAR Region 1 Research Centers,” the initiative gathered agriculture-related and fisheries students from various state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Region 1 to learn about the research and extension programs driving agricultural and aquaculture development in the region.

As part of the program, MMSU fielded two teams in the interscholastic quiz show spearheaded by CHED Region 1. The team led by Mr. Joshua Domalanta of the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development (CAFSD), with students Jorryn Wayne Repato (CVM), Jamaica Corpuz (CAFSD), Marianne Agramon, and Alvaro Banno (CASAT), placed third in the competition.

Following the launch, MMSU students engaged in a series of immersion activities across the research stations and centers of DA and BFAR Region 1 from October 7 to 23. These immersions aimed to provide experiential learning and exposure to agricultural and aquaculture innovations being implemented in the region.

Twenty MMSU agriculture students, under the guidance of Mr. Duane Mark Rarangon and Mr. Alvin John Casiano, visited the DA–Ilocos Norte Research and Experiment Center (DA-INREC) in Batac City. They were oriented on the center’s projects and facilities, including those of the Bureau of Plant Industry – National Seed Quality and Control Services (BPI-NSQCS), and observed seed inspection and quality control procedures for practical learning in crop production and postharvest management.

Meanwhile, twenty BS Fisheries students, with advisers Mr. Jerome Binarao and Mr. Jumari Fernandez, joined an immersion hosted by BFAR Region 1 at the Regional Freshwater Aquaculture Technology Demonstration Center in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. They were joined by ten students and two advisers from Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC) and learned about cultured species and natural food production systems for sustainable aquaculture.

Participants expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to witness the center’s extensive research efforts. The DALIN initiative promotes collaboration among CHED, DA, and BFAR Region I in connecting academic learning with industry practice, preparing them to become industry-ready professionals.

MMSU-CASAT & CAFSD