The technologies which will be featured during the 2nd Agri-Aqua Innovation Pitch Fest (Image Credit: PSAU)
The Agri-Aqua Innovation Pitch Fest (AIPF) 2024 is being held today, August 16, 2024, at the Royce Hotel, Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.
Hosted by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) in collaboration with the Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU) and the Association of PAQE Professionals (APP), the pitch fest showcases technological advancements and solutions pioneered by innovators in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector.
In preparation, DOST-PCAARRD has unveiled a lineup of 22 innovative technologies that will be featured in today’s pitch fest. Announced through the official Facebook page of DOST-PCAARRD, these selected technologies will represent the latest advancements in the AANR sector.
The groundbreaking technologies will be featured across four categories: Agri-Aqua Inputs and Products; Food Products; Agricultural/Aquatic Equipment and Machinery; and Other Agri-Aqua Technologies. The technologies are as follows:
Agri-Aqua Inputs and Products
- Biopesticide from Boton Barringtonia asiatica (L.) of Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) - Boton seed extract sourced from fish poison tree seeds (Barringtonia asiatica [L.]) is an eco-friendly biopesticide that effectively manages agricultural pests. It supports organic farming practices, is safe for humans, thus, ideal for use in rice paddies and vegetable gardens.
- Nightsoil Fertilizer of Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) - This soil fertilizer is made from nightsoil, molasses, a microorganism solution, and carbonized rice hulls. The process includes: a) drying pre-treated human waste; b) creating a solution with 5% microorganisms, 5% molasses, and 90% water; c) preparing carbonized rice hulls; d) mixing all ingredients and drying for seven days; and e) grinding the dried mixture into chunks or powder. The result is an effective, low-cost fertilizer for crops.
- Halal ‘Hito’ Feeds of the Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology (CFCST) - A Halal-compliant feed formulation for African eel or hito (Clarias gariepinus) has been developed to address concerns about non-Halal feed. This feed is made by blending various plant ingredients with fish oil then processing and pelletizing the mixture to create a Halal fish meal suitable for hito fingerlings.
- Hi-Pro Chicken Starter from Palm Kernel of Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT) - This starter feed is formulated with locally sourced ingredients such as palm kernel meal (PKM) to lower costs for poultry farmers. Substituting costly commercial feed ingredients with PKM allows farmers to enhance their profitability while maintaining optimal chicken growth.
Food Products
- Smoked Pork Granules of Benguet State University (BSU) - This product features smoked pork granules made from hot-smoked pork. The pork used in its production is sourced from the native pig breed of Cordillera.
- Tibig Leaf Extract-based Meat Tenderizer (PSAU) - This technology emphasizes the Tibig tree's potential due to its ficin enzyme, which is renowned for tenderizing meat. The innovative approach addresses the increasing demand for natural food processing while supporting the sustainable use of this endemic tree and revealing its untapped market potential.
- Mush Aroy Nutrichips of Central Luzon State University (CLSU) - This is a nutritious snack crafted from locally sourced and underutilized ingredients such as nutrient-rich mushrooms, seaweeds, and malunggay. It is intended to boost the nutritional content of disaster relief packages and feeding programs for at-risk groups, while also addressing the growing demand for healthier snack choices.
- PREPI Spice Puree of Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) - This is an easy-squeeze spice paste which makes cooking preparation simple. Offered in garlic, onion, and ginger varieties, it provides fresh, flavorful pastes without the need for peeling or chopping. PREPI’s ready-to-use pastes make it easy to enjoy delicious meals effortlessly.
- Purple Sweet Potato Flour of Central Mindanao University (CMU) - This introduces a flour made from purple sweet potato root crop, which serves as a substitute for wheat flour in baked goods, noodles, instant porridge for children, nutrition pastes, and as a binder and thickener in various foods.
Agricultural/Aquatic Equipment and Machinery
- Hydraulic-Type Charcoal Briquettor of DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) - This hydraulic charcoal briquettor produces high-quality charcoal briquettes by compressing crushed charcoal mixed with a binder. The briquettes from this machine have a much higher density and longer burn time than those made manually. With a daily output of 300-400 kg, it delivers outstanding efficiency and profitability.
- Pili Postharvest Machines of Bicol University (BU) - The Pili is considered the flagship commodity of Bicol Region. With that, the Pili Postharvest Machines was put forth to assist to mechanize the operation to increase the capacity and efficiency.
- Pineapple Fiber Xmach of Capiz State University (CapSU) - A machine for extracting coarse and fine from pineapple leaves. The fine fibers extracted using the machines were comparable with manual scrapping in terms of fineness and tensile strength.
- Self-Navigating Solar-Powered Aerator for Aquaculture of Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) - This technology relates to an invention for a solar-powered self-navigating paddle wheel aerator designed to maintain optimal oxygen levels in fish ponds and farms. It harnesses solar energy as its power source and incorporates temperature and oxygen monitoring sensors to ensure comprehensive quality control. The core concept of the invention involves the integration of a microcontroller, which automates real-time monitoring of temperature, salinity level and oxygen levels.
- Zappify Insect Trap of University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) - An Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology in agriculture and an insect pests control method that uses IoT, light traps, swatter and solar PV technologies to zap insect pests in the rice fields.
- Biogas Digester of Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) - This is a customized biogas digester for energy generation and waste treatment with enhanced features addressing problems and other disadvantages of prior art. This would be of great help to the community in protecting the environment from the negative effect of biodegradable waste at the same time provides clean energy and organic fertilizer, and reduces forest denudation.
- Multicrop Pulverizer of Isabela State University (ISU) - This food-grade multicrop pulverizer is a machine for grinding/pulverizing dried agricultural commodities into pulverized products. Among the commodities that are processed using the pulverizing machine are malunggay leaves, mung bean, turmeric, glutinous rice, and corn.
- Seaweed Harvester (SWABE-001-24) of Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU) - This seaweed harvester is essential for efficiently gathering seaweed from underwater or intertidal zones, equipped with cutting blades and belts to maximize productivity while minimizing environmental impact. It is vital for commercial harvesting, scientific research, and marine conservation, contributing to economic development and marine ecosystem preservation.
- Sago Pith Extracting Device (SPED) of Caraga State University (CarSU) - A village-level (317kg/hr capacity) SPED developed for rasping or grating the pith from the Sago trunk. It rasps the sago pith using a rotating blade rasper without debarking the log to minimize the steps on the extraction process.
Other Agri-Aqua Technologies
- Garlic Tech+ App of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) - GarlicTech+ is a knowledge-based decision support system for mitigating garlic insect pets and diseases using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computer vision.
- CoPELT Bioleather from Cogon Grass of Bohol Island State University (BISU - CoPELT is a plant-based leather that utilizes cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica) fibers. It is an innovative, eco-friendly, and sustainable bioleather that employs natural binding agents, reinforcing its environmentally conscious approach. The use of cogon grass, an abundant and invasive plant, contributes to the material’s sustainability by repurposing a resource that can otherwise pose environmental risks.
- PureEssence (Eucalyptus extract) of Mindanao State University - Iligan Insitute of Technology (MSU-IIT)) - The team of MSU-IIT’s researchers has developed a novel method to produce eucalyptus deglupta Blume extracts with antioxidant and cytoprotective properties. These natural compositions can be used as herbal remedies to combat oxidative stress, which is linked to over 100 diseases, including stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Additionally, oxidative stress plays a significant role in many age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as well as in the aging process itself.
- Nateura: Body Lotion and Facial Cream from Saluyot and Okra Extract of MSU - General Santos City (GSC) - This is a new skincare brand offering Saluyot and Okra Face Cream and Saluyot and Okra Body Lotion. These innovative products are crafted from indigenous plant extracts, developed through the Nutraceutical Laboratory of MSU-GSC. Nateura's products harness the natural therapeutic properties of saluyot and okra, which are rich in nutrients and bioactive components that promote skin health and rejuvenation.
The pitch fest also listed the top 10 technology posters which will be showcased through booth exhibits:
- Banana Flour of Quirino State University (QSU)
- Buro Booster of Department of Agriculture - Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC)
- Tibig Leaf Extract-based Meat Tenderizer of Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU)
- CoPELT Bioleather from Cogon Grass from Bohol Island State University (BISU)
- PREPI Spice Puree of Cebu Institute of Technology - University (CIT-U)
- Nightsoil Fertilizer of Western Mindanao State University (Western Mindanao State University (WMSU))
- Purple Sweet Potato Flour of Central Mindanao University (CMU)
- Halal Hito Feeds of Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology (CFCST)
- Nateura: Body Lotion and Facial Cream from Saluyot and Okra Extract of Mindanao State University - General Santos City (MSU-GSC)
- Danggit Dried Fish Ice Cream of North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU)
The event also features regional technology displays as well as technologies of selected DOST-PCAARRD Startup Grantees.
As of August 13, more than 460 individuals signed up as onsite attendees of the event while more than 300 individuals are expected to watch via Facebook Live.
Investors and other stakeholders are invited to join the celebration at the said venue or via Facebook Live (https://www.facebook.com/PCAARRD). For inquiries and concerns, please contact the AIPF team via email at