Three research for development facilities showcasing the use of green technologies and renewable energies, and various farm production and food product technologies were inaugurated at DA-Cagayan Valley Research Center (CVRC), Ilagan, Isabela on 21 May 2022. 

The established mega greenhouse nursery will be a venue for producing quality planting materials through mass propagation technique; breeding area for peanut, and screening for drought, waterlogging; and FAW and downey mildew resistance and special qualities of OPV corn. Also, it shall house grow-out areas for tissue-cultured banana and fruit trees (mango, cacao, etc.), area for vegetables seedling production, and area for propagation of stock and grow-out for Sweet Abulug Pummelo seedlings. 

A solar-powered set up was also installed for seed cold storage buildings to provide renewable energy source and reduce cost on electric consumption—with an attained 61% decrease or equivalent to PhP 29,202.79/monthly savings from January to September 2021. 

The set-up will likewise ensure quality seed germination of stored seeds and provide an opportunity to further increase seed production. 

The two facilities were funded through DA-BAR under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act. 

The Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurial Assistance Development Service of DA-CVRC which was supported by the bureau under its regular program funds will showcase the technologies developed and facilitated for promotion and commercialization by the DA Cagayan Valley—initiating and enhancing technology transfer activities.

It exhibits the food products such as the Gourmix, MangBean products (mungbean-based), Mangi-maxi products (corn-based), Neeruma products (peanut-based), Nana oryza products and Panderise (rice-based), Pak Gulay (vegetables-based), Soy-yum products (soybean-based), and Cagayan Valley’s Duck and Native Chicken Delight (poultry-based products). 

Led by Agriculture Secretary William Dar, the inauguration of the upgraded and established facilities highlighted the strengthening of the center’s programs on technology development, transfer, delivery, and promotion to its stakeholders in the Cagayan Valley region. 

“When you are pushed to the wall, you have to bring out technologies, scale them up and promote them in a big way,” Secretary Dar said as he also acknowledged the region’s initiatives to introduce technologies to the farmers. 

DA Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Noel Reyes and DA-BAR Research Program Development Division head Raymond Patrick Cabrera also graced the event. DA-Cagayan Valley officials led by regional executive director Narciso Edillo, regional technical director for Research and Regulations Rose Mary Aquino, research division chief Lovelyn Gaspar and staff, CVRC chief Rolando Pedro, and CVRC staff spearheaded the conduct of activities. 

Aside from the inauguration, the distribution of Bio N and Compost Fungus Activator to corn and rice farmer cooperatives and associations in Isabela was also held. These farm inputs shall help the farmers increase their rice and corn yield and reduce cost of their production. (### Ma. Eloisa H. Aquino)