The Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement (RAISE) program in Central Visayas hosted a knowledge-sharing activity titled “Ani ng Kaalaman” on February 6-7, 2025 at the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U), Cebu City.
With the theme “Collaboration for Thriving Agribusiness and Dynamic Knowledge Management of the RAISE Program,” the event convened the Agri-business hub (ABH) and Knowledge Management (KM) components of the RAISE Program across 14 regions in the country. The event provided a platform to discuss challenges, lessons learned, strategies, and recommendations for more efficient and impactful implementation of the ABH and KM hubs —– not merely as projects but as integral components of their institutions and respective regions.
The activity led to the development of a five-year strategic roadmap for institutionalizing regional hub operations. The roadmap includes defining metrics and frameworks to measure their success and long-term impacts.
The RAISE Program is one of the initiatives of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD). It aims to strengthen the agriculture and aquaculture sectors by integrating science and entrepreneurship to create a competitive agri-aqua innovation ecosystem.
In a message delivered by CIT-U Vice President for Academic Affairs Atty. Corazon Evangelista-Valencia, CIT-U President Engr. Bernard Nicolas E. Villamor expressed gratitude for the partnership between the university and DOST-PCAARRD in advancing technology transfer and commercialization.
DOST-PCAARRD Technology Transfer and Promotion Division Director, Mr. Noel A. Catibog emphasized the need for sustained institutional and stakeholder commitment to ensure the resilience and scalability of these hubs. He also highlighted the importance of learning from successes and failures to establish best practices, while ensuring sustainability through strategic alignment and strong partnerships.
Meanwhile, Bohol Island State University President, Dr. Anthony M. Penaso, encouraged participants and officials to transform challenges in the agri-aqua sector into opportunities.
This initiative underscores RAISE’s commitment to institutionalizing innovation, commercialization, and agribusiness development as key drivers of economic progress in the regions.