In a recently conducted Agency review of Research and Development (R4D) projects held on October 5-7, 2022 at the Monarch Hotel, Calasiao, Pangasinan, a total of 13 papers were presented wherein 9 fall under the research category and 4 under development.

The project entitled “Participatory Technology Demonstration cum Research on the Management of Mango Cecid Fly in Ilocos Region” bagged first place for both Research and Poster Categories while the project “Transforming Subsistence Rice-Based Farms to Farm Enterprise: A Community-Based Development Project in Ilocos Norte” won first place under Development category. The top 3s of each category were awarded with certificates and cash prizes.

The activity was conducted to refine and evaluate completed and ongoing Research for Development (R4D) projects of the Department of AgricultureField Office 1 and to assess the realization of the projects’ objectives.

“We hope that our research papers will be further developed and support our farmers and the agriculture sector in general.” said Dr. Gilbert Rabara, OIC Chief of the Research and Development (R&D) Division of DA-RFO I.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ariel Agresor, ISREC Chief, mentioned that they will cascade the presented completed projects to the DA-RFO 1 Field Operations Division and ATI down to the LGUs for adoption through the Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Service (PAFES).

The panel of evaluators was composed of experts namely, Dr.Angelina Esguerra, a retired professor from DMMMSU – Bacnotan, La Union Campus, Dr. Ruby Rosa Cruz, Research Director of Universidad de Dagupan, Dr. Ricardo Garciaof PSU – Sta. Maria, Pangasinan, Dr. Maria Asuncion Beltran, Vice-President forR&E of TAU, Dr. Maria Luisa Mason from CLSU, Nueva Ecija and Ms. AnielynAlibuyog – Senior Science Research Specialist from Philrice – Batac.

Enhancement of Research, Development and Extension services is among the focused intervention under the 10-point agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and is a key element in achieving the Food Security goal of the country.##