Koronadal City, South Cotabato.  The Cotabato Agriculture, Aquatic  and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CAARRDEC) spearheaded  a two-day  Regional Symposium on Research and Development Highlights and Technology Forum and Clinic  on December 7-8, 2016 at Villa Amor Hotel, Koronadal City.

With the theme “Advancing Science and Technology Towards Food Security,”   the  symposium is aimed at disseminating   various relevant technologies to benefit farming communities in Mindanao, specifically to:

1)  disseminate  farming  technology-related  information  through techno-forum  and exhibit  technologies relevant to SOCCSKSARGEN Region;

2)    bring together all stakeholders for interaction and address  common issues on research and development; and

3)    showcase  new  innovations and  create awareness  among farmers on emerging

agricultural technologies for possible adoption.

The conduct of  a symposium is a yearly activity of the consortium  that showcases the researches of the CAARRDEC member-agencies and other research institutions which have generated, documented and improved technologies highly relevant to the modernization of farming practices in the country, particularly in the SOCCSKSARGEN region.

This year’s symposium was participated in by over 100 participants ranging from farmers, researchers, prospective agricultural investors,  and line agencies  from the  provinces and municipalities of the region.   Gracing the symposium is Deputy Executive Director  Dr. Danilo C. Cardenas of the  Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic Resources Research and Development  (PCAARRD).

Among the researches presented during the first day of the event, categorized by research and development, are the following:

Research Category

1. Analysis of Rice Farming Practices in Four (4) Irrigator Associations of Midsayap, Cotabato
2. Morphometric Analysis of Rice Released Varieties in Warm Environment
3. Molecular Markers for Mango Cultivar Identification and Genetic Characterization
4. Vulnerability Adaptation of Rice Production Towards Climate Change in Region XII;
5. Attributions to Rice Productivity in Region XII
6. S&T Based Intensification on the Use and Production of Effective Microorganism as Biofungicide against Phytophthora Disease and as Biofertilizer
7. Enhancement of Tissue Culture Propagation Protocol using Male Bud/Floral Apex of Banana

Development Category

1. Farm Based Promotion of Alternative Management Options and Farm Recording
2. Gap Enhanced Yield of Lakatan and Saba/Cardava in Region XII
3. Management of Postharvest Diseases of Mango Using Biofungicides in Padada, Davao del Sur
4. Increasing Farmers’ Productivity through Adoption of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and Associated Rice Production Technologies in Regions IX, XI (Davao del Sur), XII and ARMM

The second day of the event  focused on a  technology forum and clinic for the farmers.  Three (3) researches/studies,   which were already tested,  were  presented for possible adoption of the farmer-investors and farmers, namely:

1. A Model for Sustainable Rubber-Based Farming System Integrated with Plantation Crops and Livestock
2. Farmers Livestock School for Goat Enterprise Management
3. Non-Conventional Hybrid Corn Production

The last part of the activity was the technology cliniquing in which the farmers were given time to consult experts on the production of different crops from different research institutions.  (Helen L. Vestal, NEDA XII-DRD)