2-day “FIESTA” starts on Wed

In an efforts to transform the seaweed industry into a sustainable enterprise that will help enhance the economic standing of our seaweed farmers in Central Visayas Region, the two-day Seaweed Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) will be conducted here in Bohol at the Reyna’s the Haven and Gardens, Tagbilaran City on Wednesday and Thursday.
Reynaldo V. Ebora, Acting Executive Director, Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) said that they anchored on the principle to effect the flow of Research and Development (R&D) outputs to the producers of commodities and the country’s agri-aqua – based enterprises for greater economic benefits, particularly in the countryside.
Ebora said to realize this goal, the PCAARRD envisions a system that will link farmers, fisher folks, processors, distributors, and consumers in a thriving agribusiness environment, thus conceptualized the FIESTA.
He said that PCAARRD takes great pride in partnering with the Central Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CVAARRDEC) in their efforts to showcase, promote, and commercialize the technologies and innovations on seaweeds.
The Acting Executive Director, DOST-PCAARRD added that the FIESTA seeks to inspire our farmers and fisher folks to elevate their economic livelihood from farm keepers to producers of products and services, thereby promoting entrepreneurial activities for the local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMES).
Ebora emphasized that FIESTA changes the traditional agricultural farming priorities from merely achieving agricultural productivity to a flourishing agribusiness-driven environment.
Seaweed industry in the Philippines, especially in Central Visayas has a brighter outlook because it produces the varieties of seaweed from which gelatinous substance is being used as ingredients in food products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, ice cream, beer, milk, gelatin, among other usages.
In the opening program on Wednesday, Alfredo Pedrosa III, chairman – Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines will deliver his keynote speech; while Governor Edgar M. Chatto, Alfeo G. Piloton, OIC-Regional Director, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 7; Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, Undersecretary for Research and Development, will give their messages.
In the afternoon of the same day, there will be three topics to be discussed by the respective speakers such as: Seaweed Health Management to be dealt by Dr. Danilo B. Largo, Director, Office of Research University of San Carlos, Cebu; Organic Liquid Fertilizer from Seaweed Extract by Expedito P. Dublin, DA7 Outstanding Agricultural Scientist and Irradiated Carageenan Fertilizer to be explained by Dr. Fernando B. Aurigue from the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI).
On the following day Dr. Silvano B. Maranga, President-ASKEDWELL Center will be the first speaker who will talk about “Asexual Propagation of Breadfruit” A CEST Project of DOST 7.” And then would be followed by Vina V. Antopina-PSTD, DOST R7 who will share the topic “Let’s Talk About Chocolate and Learn How to Make it,” while Guillerma Abay-Abay, Training Specialist III, Philippine Carabao Center at Ubay Stock Farm will talk about “ Chocomilk with Carageenan”.
Every day after the topics will be discussed, there will be a market/business matching to be conducted. (Atoy Cosap)