Two projects led by the Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU) and funded by DA-BAR under the Livestock and Technology Business Incubation programs underwent virtual inception meeting on 14 September 2023 to ensure its smooth implementation and manage the expectations of both institutions.

Joanarch C. Briones, PhD presented the first project, Establishing the Potential of Locally-Available Feedstuff for Broiler Chicken and Goat in Pampanga. It aims to determine the following: nutritional value of locally available feedstuff in the province, growth performances of broiler chicken and goat fed with the said feedstuff, and economic viability of the formulated feeds.

 “There are many farmers who are coming to PSAU and they are asking if there are readily available feeds for their goats. As we all know, the goats in Magalang and nearby provinces depend on foraging grasses and farmers have to buy supplements which are very costly,” said Briones in a mix of English and Filipino, translated to the former.

Reiterating that the goal of the project is to develop cost-effective and quality feeds for goats and broilers, he said “that is why we are conducting this research, to prove that the formulation that we will do will be beneficial for the animals and benefit the farmers.”

While, Maricel B. Ramos presented the second project, Expanding the Operation of the DA-BAR Technology Business Incubation (TBI) Program of PSAU, which aims to increase the rate of transfer and commercialization of research based-technologies through TBI.

Ramos further said, “the specific objectives are to enhance the capacity of incubatees in managing their enterprise and commercializing their technologies and/or products through the provision of incubation services, as well as to facilitate linkages and partnerships between incubatees and other concerned stakeholders.”

“The project is anchored on the Sustainable Development Goals 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). And the project promotes community development, product development, business development, and startup ecosystem development,” she said.

Attending the meeting from PSAU were president Anita G. David, vice president for Research, Extension and Training Geraldine C. Sanchez, the project team members, budget officer; while from DA-BAR were the livestock and TBI focals from Program Development Division and Program Monitoring, Evaluation, and Linkaging Division. (### Rena S. Hermoso)