“As part of the DA family, we are not competing with each other but rather complementing each other while also remaining the best at what we do. Because that is what our clientele, the farmers and fishers, are expecting from us: remaining best at what we do,” said DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research OIC-director Joell H. Lales during the inauguration of the R&D building of DA-Batanes Experiment Station (DA-BES) on 26 April 2023 in Basco, Batanes.
OIC-director Lales and DA-Cagayan Valley regional technical director for Research, Regulations, and Finance and Administrative Concerns Rose Mary G. Aquino, PhD led the inauguration.
The DA-BES, which is one of the research stations of DA-RFO Cagayan Valley, is tasked to generate and disseminate information and technologies that would respond to the needs of the agriculture and fisheries sector in the province.
The R4D facility–which was upgraded to climate-resilient standards, sustained and enhanced R4D services, such as capacity building training activities for farmers, students, and agricultural extension workers, development seminars, and other technology-transfer activities, await farmers and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector of Batanes.
Prior to the inauguration, OIC-director Lales joined Batanes LGU officials in the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the agro-trade and tourism fair during the opening of the 238th foundation week of the municipality of Ivana through the invitation of municipal mayor and former DA-BES center manager Celso B. Batallones.
As part of the celebration, an agro-trade and tourism fair were also held highlighting wakay (sweetpotato)—Ivana’s staple crop.