The Cagayan Valley Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (CVAARRD) Consortium was recently conferred the Ugnay Award - Most Outstanding Regional R&D Consortium for the third consecutive awarding year, which qualifies them for the Hall of Fame status.
CVAARRD bested 14 other regional consortia of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and gained the recognition for their exemplary contributions from 2022 to 2023 in advancing the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector in Cagayan Valley. The award specifically recognized the consortium for taking remarkable strides in R&D and technology transfer efforts in the following commodities: citrus, small ruminants, banana, cacao, mangrove, mungbean, and tilapia. CVAARRD’s efforts have resulted in increased agricultural productivity, resulting in improved quality of life of farmers, fisherfolk, industries, and the communities of Cagayan Valley as a whole.
The Ugnay Award has been conferred to the consortia to recognize their efforts in meeting R&D and technology needs since 1995. The award is anchored on the consortium’s capability to formulate and implement policies, strategies, and activities following the principles of integration, complementation, resource sharing, and linkages. Award grants were also given to the awardees to boost their current and planned initiatives for the AANR sector.
Ugnay Award - first and second runners up were also conferred. First runner up was conferred to the Western Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESMAARRDEC) for driving innovative research, enforced sustainable practices, and creating livelihood opportunities to its surrounding communities. The consortium has demonstrated excellent R&D management for its programs on coconut, seaweed, itikPINAS, ZamPen native chicken, and urban agriculture.
Meanwhile, the Ugnay Award - second runner up was conferred to the Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Program (ViCARP) for its contributions in advancing the AANR sector in Eastern Visayas. For the past two years, the consortium implemented technology transfer initiatives that helped equip the communities in Eastern Visayas with viable and more efficient agricultural practices for the following commodities: rootcrops, jackfruit, bamboo, and native pig.
The award was conferred during the Science and Technology (S&T) Recognition and Awarding Ceremony and 52nd Anniversary celebration of DOST-PCAARRD held on November 8, 2024.