PHOTO RELEASE
Dr. Artemio M.Salazar, SARAI Project 2 Leader from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), as he presents the topic, “Real-time crop monitoring and forecasting under Project SARAI (Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines) during the Southern Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (SMAARRDEC) Farmers and Fisherfolks Forum at the Abreeza Ayala Mall in Davao City.
Components of Project 2 include studies on Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) installation and data monitoring; land use and crop suitability; crop vulnerability, and integrated crop management. The real-time data provided by the AWS installed in different stations and historical data from partner institutions help in formulating site-specific crop nutrient management, land use, suitability, and vulnerability maps.
The Farmers and Fisherfolks Forum, along with “FIESTA sa Dabaw,” is part of the 30th anniversary celebration of SMAARRDEC.
“FIESTA sa Dabaw” features major programs and technologies generated for significant regional commodities such as coconut, banana, mango, and sea cucumber.
Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda or FIESTA is a collaboration of SMAARRDEC and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
Conceptualized by PCAARRD, FIESTA aims to show the complete sphere of research and development as it treats with equal importance the whole agricultural value chain from production to processing to technology mainstreaming.
Through FIESTA, PCAARRD and its partners gather the various players of agricultural R&D, primarily the technology generators, farmers, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase regional agricultural, aquatic and natural resources (AANR) technologies, innovations, products, and services; assist in the diffusion of technologies for better farming opportunities; and provide a true encounter of various research and development beneficiaries to maximize the benefits of particular products and commodities.