As one of the Consortium Member Institutions (CMI) of the Western Mindanao State University Agricultural, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESMAARRDEC), PRRI aims to enhance collaborative involvement and foster agricultural innovation in 2024. On January 18, 2024, PRRI hosted four personnel from WESMAARRDEC for a meeting focusing on the consortium’s plans, particularly in Research and Development, Technology Transfer, Science Communication Information, and Communication Technology clusters.
Discussions during the visit centered on technological trends in the Aquatic Natural Resources (ANR) sector, emphasizing digitization’s role in Disease Detection, Modeling Distribution of Rubber, and potential collaboration between PRRI and WESMAARRDEC for the creation of a Comprehensive Information Database for Rubber. WESMAARRDEC highlighted the potential of these technological innovations to engage the youth in rubber farming, showcasing a forward-thinking approach to sustainable agriculture.
In addition, WESMAARRDEC’s Science Communication Director explored collaboration opportunities, specifically mentioning potential funding from the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) to support the mass production of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials for Pestalotiopsis Leaf Fall Disease (PLFD). Demonstrating keen interest in PRRI’s involvement in the upcoming National Science Technology Week (NSTW) in Cagayan de Oro, WESMAARRDEC expressed a desire to showcase PRRI’s IEC materials and tap into the expertise of PRRI’s disease specialists in PLFD and diverse rubber clones. As the meeting concluded, both parties exchanged wishes for continued collaboration and mutually beneficial support within their respective areas of responsibility.
Notably, PRRI is actively involved with the Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement (RAISE) Program of WESMAARRDEC, further solidifying the collaborative efforts between the two institutions.
– 𝑱𝒖𝒍𝒊𝒖𝒔 𝑩𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒐
