CEST program is one of the strategies of DOST to bring in economic development through science and technology to people in conflict-affected areas, marginalized sectors, remote regions, indigenous groups, and women’s organizations.

DA interventions namely Farm and Fisheries Consolidation and Clustering Program (F2C2), Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA), Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD), and Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo program (4K) are targeted to complement DOST’s CEST program.