The Root Crops Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) kicks off today with an opening and ribbon cutting ceremony.
Held today at Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay Leyte, the FIESTA aims to showcase root crops technology outputs of the Visayas Regional Consortia of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) among technology generators, farmers, investors, and entrepreneurs.
“We hope that the Root Crops FIESTA will be able to inspire participation from local government units, investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, and other stakeholders,” says DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora in his keynote message delivered by DOST-PCAARRD Applied Communication Division (ACD) Director Marita A. Carlos. He added that through collaboration, we can explore new opportunities, share best practices, and co-create innovative solutions to propel the root crops industry forward.
Dr. Ebora also discussed the aim of DOST-PCAARRD’s Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) for Sweetpotato to increase sweetpotato production, enhance the utilization and promotion of fresh and value-added sweetpotato products, and improve food value chains.
Highlighting the FIESTA are the technology pitching and technology forum that hope to further promote root crops technologies that are ready for commercialization.
Root crop products and technologies are also being showcased through an exhibit. Alongside, activities including Technology to People (T2P) media conference, farm visit, cooking demonstration, and other root crops-themed pocket events are set to engage participants.
The Root Crops FIESTA is led and organized by the Western Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (WESVAARRDEC), Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Program (ViCARP), and the Central Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CVAARRDEC).
FIESTA is an Intellectual Property Office (IPO)-registered technology promotion and commercialization platform initiated by DOST-PCAARRD. It aims to empower farmers and fisherfolk to improve on their livelihood as well as match technology generators to target adopters.