MARAMAG, Bukidnon – The Philippine Agricultural Economics and Development Association, Inc. (PAEDA) conducted its 49th biennial convention recently in partnership with the Central Mindanao University (CMU), PCAARRD, and other R&D institutions at the Farmer’s Training Center of CMU in Musuan of this town.
The convention aimed to examine the issues and challenges affecting inclusive and sustainable development in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sectors. It brought together 200 of the country’s socio-economists, development experts, technical experts in AANR, experts in other relevant fields, and students.
Also present were representatives from national offices of government institutions, national and international R&D institutions, and city and provincial governments of Maramag and Bukidnon.
One of the highlights of the event was the awarding of the most outstanding PAEDA member for 2011―2013 to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director General Arsenio M. Balisacan. Representing Balisacan was NEDA Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Director Mercedita A. Sombilla.
Invited plenary speakers were Commission on Higher Education Commissioner Ruperto S. Sangalang and WorldFish Regional Director for Asia Maripaz L. Perez.
Ninety-nine papers including 16 student theses were presented in 13 simultaneous breakout sessions. Special sessions were allotted for PCAARRD-sponsored projects such as supply chain studies, impact assessment studies, and ex-ante analysis.
The SocioEconomics Research Portal for the Philippines was also introduced to the participants by Dr. Shiela V. Siar and Kristine Carla O. Oteyza of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies.
For the first time in the convention’s history, a best paper was selected for each session wherein the top three best convention papers were selected.
For the undergraduate thesis category, Dan Leo Z. Diona of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) won for his paper “Measuring the welfare benefits of ecotourism: The case of Calatagan Mangrove Forest Conservation Park.”
Meanwhile, the best convention paper went to “Goat R&D in Central Luzon: Its socio-economic contribution to farm households” by Dr. Maria Excelsis M. Orden of the Central Luzon University (CLSU).
Coming in second was “Inclusive and sustainable growth of the Philippine coconut industry thru agribusiness entrepreneurship” by Dr. Roy S. Kempis of the Pampanga State Agricultural University.
Bagging the third prize was “Productivity and financial viability of commercial broiler farm using climate controlled system: The case in a state-owned university in Nueva Ecija” by Dr. Edgar A. Orden of CLSU.
The event culminated with a business meeting and election of the 2013―2015 PAEDA board members. The new set of board members are Dr. Ernesto O. Brown (PCAARRD), Dr. Albert P. Aquino (PCAARRD), Dr. Melvin B. Carlos (PCAARRD), Ms. Elvira E. Dumayas , Dr. Isabelita M. Pabuayon (UPLB), Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr. (UPLB), Dr. Joy C. Lizada (University of the Philippines Visayas), Dr. Maria Luisa R. Soliven (CMU), and Dr. Celso C. Tautho (CMU).