PCAARRD and the Mexico-based Yucatan Center for Scientific Research have recently formalized an agreement on joint R&D activities, particularly on coconut initiatives.
Signing in a memorandum of understanding, the two agencies vowed to work together in strengthening agricultural biotechnology concerns with focus on in vitro culture of coconut.
The parties agreed to use/share professional networks, channels, and mechanisms for improved understanding of coconut somatic embryogenesis technology through exchange of experts and scientists.
The signing took place during the exit conference of the Mexican mission to the Philippines at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Headquarters in Taguig City recently.
Also known as the Centro de Investigacion Cientifica de Yucatan (CICY), the said public research agency aims to contribute to sustainable social development by generating S&T-based knowledge in vital concerns. These include plant biochemistry and molecular biology, agricultural biotechnology, natural resources, material science, water sciences, and renewable energy.
The parties agreed to mutually strengthen their capabilities on agricultural biotechnology through cooperative use of scientific materials, information and facilities, as well as the exchange of students and researchers with due regard to intellectual property rights.
Signed under the Basic Agreement on Technical and Scientific Cooperation between the Philippines and the United Mexican States in 1997, the MOU bears the parties’ commitment to promote social development; reduce poverty; and protect the interest of the vulnerable sectors in their respective countries.
The MOU is an offshoot of the visit of the Philippine Technical Mission to Mexico led by DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo in 2013.
The mission aimed to explore possible collaborative activities. This includes the transfer of the coconut somatic embryogenesis technology developed by CICY to the Philippines.