Agri-Tech Negosyo Forum and Exhibit

Fernando Lopez Hall, BSWM, Visayas Ave., Diliman, QC
12 September 2008

Text by Christmas B. de Guzman
Photos by Christmas B. de Guzman and Ricardo G. Bernardo

The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) participated in the Agri-Tech Negosyo Forum and Exhibit, an activity hosted and organized by the Fulbright Philippine Agriculture Alumni Association (FPAAA), that intends to disseminate information on local technologies (products, services, etc.) and link potential investors andentrepreneurs on agriculture-related businesses. The FPAAA is composed of returned Fulbright scholars under the Fulbright-Philippine Agriculture Scholarship Program (FPASP) of the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF). Aside from BAR, the event was also supported and participated in by various R&D institutions such as the Agricultural Training Institute, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), University of the Philippines Los Baños-Institute of Plant Breeding (UPLB-IPB), UPLB-College of Agriculture (UPLB-CA), UPLB-National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (UPLB-BIOTECH), Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCASTRD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and other private sectors such as the East West Seed Group and UniVet.

The opening of the various exhibits officially kicks off with the ribbon-cutting ceremony. From L-R: BSWM Asst. Dir. Wilfredo E. Cabezon, PAEF Executive Director Esmeralda S. Cunanan, and FPAAA President Mario G. Andrada. Behind them are key officials and members of FPAAA and other participants from the DOLE-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (DOLE-OWWA).

At the VIP table, guests present are: Dr. Alicia P. Santos, manager of DOLE-National Reintegration Center for OFWs (DOLE-NRCO); Mr. Zac B. Sarian, columnist-journalist of the Manila Bulletin; and Dr. Cunanan.

Dr. Eugene P. Mende, FPAAA Board of Directors (BOD) member, and Dr. Marissa V. Romero, FPAAA secretary, serve as the masters of ceremony.

FPAAA Pres. Andrada gives his welcome remarks. He mentions the objectives of the activity: 1) disseminate information about commercializable agricultural technologies and the business opportunities that these technologies present; 2) generate interest in agricultural technologies among OFWs, hobbyists and other individuals, and to provide them with information and assistance related to these technologies; 3) serve as a venue for networking and business/market linkage among technology developers/disseminators, potential financiers, and current and would-be entrepreneurs; and 4) encourage the establishment of technology-based business start-ups among OFWs, hobbyists and other individuals.

At the plenary sessions, Mr. Zarian talks about “Opportunities in Different Agri-Tech based Industries – Facts & Figures.” Dr. Ida F. Dalmacio, BIOTECH-UPLB discusses “Biotechnological Interventions for Agricultural Development and Opportunities.” Dr. Amihan M. Lubag-Arquiza, FPASP ’02, Crop Science Cluster, UPLB-CA, lectures on “Better Living and Nation Building Through Horticulture, Entrepreneurship and Agri-Technology.”

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap delivers his message. He puts emphasis on the importance of good packaging and marketing program when it comes to agribusiness. He also explains President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s FIELDS (Fertilizer, Irrigation and other rural infrastructure, Research and development, and extension work, Loans, Dryers and other postharvest facilities, and Seeds) Program which is now being implemented by the Department of Agriculture. “Basic agriculture is a necessity to mankind, that’s why the government is investing billions of pesos to ensure its sustainability.” he stresses.

Secretary Yap visits the various booth exhibits including that of BAR which highlights various in-house publications, books, journals, and brochures from BAR and its partner-agencies.

BAR staff, Ricardo G. Bernardo and Christmas B. de Guzman of the Applied Communication Division pose with Secretary Yap.