ACIAR-Philippines nationwide consultations kick off

Since Monday this week, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) has been doing the rounds of the major islands for high-level consultations involving experts and stakeholders to identify the bilateral research and development (R&D) priorities in the Philippines.

The week-long consultations started in Davao on Mar. 13, then in Cebu on Mar 15., and in Makati City for Luzon on Mar. 16. The country consultation will be wrapped up on Mar. 17 at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City to finalize the research thrusts and priorities for the Philippines.

Taking part in these consultations are ACIAR’s management team and invited researchers, scientists, managers, and representatives from the private sector and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). From PCARRD are Executive Director Patricio S. Faylon and Dr. Danilo C. Cardenas, deputy executive director for R&D.

Dr. Faylon, a member of the ACIAR Policy Advisory Council (PAC), represents the Philippine national agricultural research system in the consultations.

ACIAR assists the Philippines to increase the productivity, marketability, international competitiveness, and market access of Philippine agricultural products.

The Visayas consultation-workshop in Cebu tackled research activities that prioritize methods for successful tree establishment on degraded lands, fisheries, and other workable research in the area.

For Luzon, the agricultural, forest, and environmental research thrusts of Region 4 and Central Luzon will be tackled.

Geographic considerations in the conduct of this consultation ensured a balanced focus on the country’s 79 provinces.

The ACIAR research managers are looking into larger areas of engagement encompassing better clustering and integration of activities. They are also assessing the commodity and thematic approach to R&D practiced in the country.

Drawing from such exercises, ACIAR notes that in every research program or project is a system for the adoption of research results.

The week-long activity seeks to continue to uphold the ACIAR-Philippines cooperation, commence new areas of work, and create greater impacts of ACIAR projects that will involve the industry and NGOs.

In addition, ACIAR supports postgraduate studies in Australia, investments in fisheries, and investment in Mindanao.

Ahead, Dr. Faylon will be attending the annual ACIAR-PAC meeting on Mar. 25–31 in Canberra and Sydney, Australia. (Maria Estela H. Facundo, S&T Media Service)