DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research OIC-director Sailila Abdula highlighted the importance of research for development (R4D) technologies in further modernizing the agriculture and fisheries sector in the country during the Research Innovation and Development (RIDE) Festival 2022 opening ceremony at the Central Luzon State University on 11 October 2022. 

Noting its strategies and innovation milestones, director Abdula underscored the bureau’s current initiatives to scale agricultural technologies. 

“There is a disconnection, hindi umaabot ‘yong ibang mga developed technologies sa farmers level. That’s why we, at DA-BAR, acknowledge those shortcomings. That’s why we focus more on upscaling. We will promote, test (it), until such time na magagamit ng ating magsasaka,” he said. 

“Made possible through research for development efforts, these technologies aim to optimize the productivity of agriculture and fisheries value chains while reducing environmental pressure,” he added. 

Relative to this, the bureau chief also emphasized the need to boost the capacities of R4D implementing institutions and workers to ensure the efficiency and resiliency of agricultural resources in the face of various challenges. 

“The bureau implements programs that strengthen [its] institutional capacity such as human resource development, establishment of R4D facilities, and linkages and partnerships with other R4D institutions, as well as crafting policies to support R4D initiatives,” said director Abdula. 

“All these are geared toward the increase of innovative and adaptive technologies; empowerment of agri-fisheries enterprises; strengthening of the R4D system; and, increase in our stakeholders’ capacities,” he added. 

In closing, director Abdula left a challenge to its R4D partners who continue to develop and validate new knowledge, information, and technologies for the benefit of the sector. 

“I challenge you to utilize and make the most of these facilities to come up with innovative and scalable technologies that will contribute in boosting the competitiveness of the sector,” he said. 

With the theme “High Impact CLSU,” the event saw the attendance of hundreds of researchers and guests from all over the country, and officials from various government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, and state universities and colleges. (### Mara Shyn Valdeabella-Pacunana and Kathleen Mae B. Bulquerin)