PCAARRD, one of West Visayas State University's active partners in joint R&D, human resource development and technical assistance in the areas of agriculture, aquatic and natural resources (AANR) conducted a successful, three-day SIPAG FIESTA (Strategic Industry S&T Program for Agri-Aqua Growth- Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda) last March 2-4, 2016 at PCAARRD Grounds in Los Banos, Laguna. The event showcased and celebrated the best of R&D initiatives from 2010-2016 by PCAARRD stakeholders, partners and consortia. WESVAARRDEC, the AANR consortium hosted by West Visayas State University was one of the exhibitors-participants during the said event.
One of the highlights of SIPAG FIESTA was the blessing and launching of the DOST-PCAARRD Innovation and Technology Center (DPITC), a "one-stop-shop and convergence hub" that provides services for investors and technology users in the agriculture and aquatic sectors in the Philippines.
The state-of-the-art DOST-PCAARRD Innovation and Technology Center (DPITC) |
Another highlight of the event was the SIPAG ni Juan Exhibit which is a permanent installation (interactive posters, dioramas, live aquatic specimens in aquariums, etc) of DOST-PCAARRD supported technologies and breakthroughs on Strategic Industry S&T Program on Agri-Aqua Growth (SIPAG) generated by R&D researchers from all over the country featuring outdoor display of live animals and plants and machinery, and techno-demonstrations of selected ISPs.
The regional consortia exhibits and bazaars also attracted a huge crowd. S&T innovations of regional priority commodities were featured for display and for sale. WESVAARRDEC featured bamboo, sugar and sago as regional commodities. Aklan State University developed sago spread and maja de sago using flour produced from sago (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) palm.
The Regional Consortium Exhibit of WESVAARRDEC |
The BPI Demo Farm and Development Center Organic Vegetable Farm |