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PCARRD
has recently pegged its budget for the improvement of the agriculture
and natural resources (ANR) within the next three years.
The focus would
be increasing the productivity of the ANR sector, developing science
and technology (S&T) interventions for the upland communities,
the implementation of the Integrated S&T Agenda, advocacy for
the enactment of a technology transfer bill, and developing the
S&T human resource.
Increasing
the productivity of the ANR sectors in areas where the PCARRD Techno
Gabay Program (TGP) operates will involve the full implementation
of the S&T-based Farms project. Together with the Magsasaka
Siyentista, the S&T-based Farms would showcase investment
opportunities for the local farmers and for the overseas Filipino
workers.
S&T interventions
will be delivered to upland communities growing biofuel feedstocks
by up-scaling the council’s conservation farming village (CFV)
model. Efforts to understand the socio-economic factors affecting
the sustainability of production not only of biofuels but of other
economically important crops shall be undertaken.
Joint funding
with the members of the National Agriculture and Resources Research
and Development System (NARRDS) for the realization of more than
100 products identified in the S&T Agenda will be pursued.
PCARRD shall
continue to support DOST in pushing for the enactment of the Technology
Commercialization Bill in the 14th Congress. The proposed law is
seen to accelerate the commercialization of technologies, provide
benefits to researchers and R&D institutions and institutionalize
intellectual property protection in the S&T community.
Increased
enrolment in the ANR degree programs shall be advocated. In the
words of PCARRD Executive Director, Dr. Patricio S. Faylon, “The
Philippines is still largely an agricultural country, but the continuing
decline in enrolment on the agriculture and forestry programs will
result to a very few trained manpower to do research, man our R&D
laboratories and stations and agricultural extension agents in eight
years’ time.” Thus, the council shall address this
alarming issue.
With the increasing
utility and relevance of information and communications technology
(ICT), the council will push for the capacity building of ICT personnel
in ANR.
In addition
to these efforts, the issues on climate change, water for agriculture,
biofuels and market development shall also be addressed. (Fezoil
Luz C. Decena and Pia Paula P. Mateo, S&T Media Service)
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