In a project monitoring activity of the bureau, DA-BAR director Dr. Junel B. Soriano underscored how the bureau sees the importance of strengthening linkages with the private sector, thus instructing implementing agencies to establish the linkages between the farmers’ cooperative associations to private sector/companies in order to fully commercialize the products.
As part of the regular activities of the bureau to ensure that the set objectives of the projects are met as well as lay down the sustainability plans, DA-BAR conducted a project monitoring on various research for development (R4D)-supported projects implemented by the DA-Quezon Agricultural Research and Experiment Station (QARES) on 27-28 January 2022 in Tiaong, Dolores, and San Antonio, Quezon.
The two-day activity covered monitoring and discussion meetings on the commercialization of various commodities which include sapinit, other underutilized fruit crops, virgin coconut oil, and cacao. The completed and on-going projects were funded under the DA-BAR’s National Technology Commercialization Program.
Dennis D.L. Bihis, DA-QARES Research Unit head, presented an overview of the station including the implemented projects supported by DA-BAR.
Processing of sapinit into jam, juice, soap, tea and wine is currently being done at the service facility provided by the LGU of Dolores for the Rural Improvement Club giving additional income to women beneficiaries. Also, the said facility provided a venue to process other underutilized fruit crops such as guyabano, duhat, bignay, lipote, and macopa. Nurseries were also established and seedlings of said crops were planted in target municipalities.
On the other hand, the technology on cacao product development has now has been transferred to various groups and associations. Wines are currently produced by the San Antonio Cacao Growers’ Association and the Samahan ng mga Magsasaka ng Barangay Banilad in Nagcarlan, Laguna.
Further, through funding support to the current VCO production of the CABAYAN Rural Improvement Club of Barangay Cabay, Tiaong, Quezon, VCO products are being improved in terms of quality and quantity--providing additional income for the beneficiaries. VCO were also distributed to frontliners to help ease the effect of the pandemic.
During the said activity, possible collaborative R4D proposals with the station aligned with the the DA-BAR Inclusive Transformative R4DE Framework and the OneDA Reform Agenda were also discussed.
Director Soriano discussed the need to strengthen industry-academe-DA collaboration, boost and enhance product development and packaging; and establish FDA-compliant facilities; among others. Also providing recommendations and insights were DA-BAR assistant Director Joell H. Lales, BAR technical adviser Josie Valdez, and the bureau’s technical staff.
The team met officials and staff of DA-CALABARZON led by Research Division chief Eda Dimapilis and DA-QARES Center chief Rolando Cuasay, the municipal agricultural officers, and farmer-cooperators of the project.