By John Vincent B. Toribio

To boost agricultural productivity and climate resilience, 25 experts, researchers and extension workers from various government agencies convened at the Center for Flexible Learning yesterday until today, August 31, to present full-blown proposals in line with the Rainfed Agri-Fishery Research for Development & Extension Program in the Ilocos Region.   
Seven prospective projects which cut across crops and livestock, smarter agriculture, fisheries, natural resources, renewable energy, and extension services delivery were presented. 

Dr. Dionisio Bucao, S&T Park director, presented smarter agriculture to sustain high yields in rainfed areas in the province, while Dr. Ernesto Del Rosario, Jr., a professor from the College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology, proposed harnessing fishery resources toward food security. Dr. Melvin Bagot, a professor of the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development, discussed smarter production systems to revitalize livestock and poultry industries; and, Dr. Arlene Gonzales and Dr. Floramante Pastor tackled mainstreaming of natural resource management for sustainable productivity. 

Moreover, Dr. Bobby Eclarin, knowledge management chief, presented plans to develop tools and support systems for smarter agri-fishery industry. In addition, Dr. Bjorn Santos, research director, and Dr. Eric Halabaso, NBERIC technical and testing services chief, hope to develop renewable energy technologies. 

Lastly, Dr. Marilou Lucas, extension director, proposed to strengthen extension activities for sustainable and inclusive growth. 

Serving as panel members were Mr. Joell Lales, assistant director for programs of DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research; Mr. Alvin L. Fontanil, agriculturist and Mr. Glenn D. Dimayuga, senior agriculturist, of DA-BAR; Dr. Rex Navarro, DA-BAR’s senior technical adviser and volunteer adviser of Ilocos Norte Agriculture and Fishery Extension System; Dr. Santiago Obien, DA-National Rice Program senior technical adviser; Dr. Hazel Jane Orge, OIC-Branch Manager of PhilRice – Batac; Mr. Ariel Agressor, OIC center chief, DA Ilocos Sur Research Center, who represented Dr. Florentino Adame of DA Regional Field Office I; Atty. Juan Alfonso Augustus Jose, INAFES Director; and Dr. Nathaniel R. Alibuyog, MMSU vice-president for research and extension. 

The presentation is part of the continuing efforts of MMSU, DA-BAR, and the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, through INAFES, to sustain the vigor of agricultural programs in the locality. The proposals presentation is already the third workshop conducted for the Rainfed Agriculture and Fisheries R4DE Program. The presentation of capsule proposals was conducted on May 24-25 and a planning workshop was done on April 26-27. - With reports from Kimberly S. Miguel, Correspondent (HLY, StratCom)