About VEGGIE FIESTA 2022

About VEGGIE FIESTA

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) adopts the Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA), an event based on the technology transfer modality that promotes science and technology (S&T) products. PCAARRD’s FIESTA, much like the cultural festivity, celebrates the abundance, prosperity, and revelry that features the promotion and commercialization of S&T products initiative for the agriculture, aquatic and natural resources (AANR) sector.

Starting in 2019, DOST-PCAARRD has modified the scheme of conducting commodity-based FIESTAs in different parts of the country. To maximize resources and increase collaboration among the various consortia, PCAARRD came up with the concept of cluster FIESTA where a group of consortia with similar focus commodities converges, plans, implements, and evaluates one FIESTA in a selected location in the Philippines.

In addition, the engagement of the industry sector is enhanced with the participation of potential investors who could possibly take the technologies generated for large-scale commercialization subject to the execution of a licensing agreement between the investor and the technology generator. Cluster FIESTAs on sweet potato (BWSM, Quezon City), halal goat (USeP, Davao City), and biopesticides/biofertilizers (Valencia City, Bukidnon) were conducted last 2019, and farmers and fisher folks benefited much from the technologies promoted by the various consortia.

This year, Cluster FIESTA on vegetables will be conducted by the four collaborating consortia. ILAARRDEC, with the Mariano Marcos State University as its base agency, leading the Cluster FIESTA. The three other consortia – CCAARRD, CLAARRDEC, and NOMCAARRD will support in the implementation of the FIESTA on Vegetable. Specifically, they will be contributing to the list of technologies generated that are ready for technology transfer and commercialization as well as lead some activities that will be conducted.

Cluster FIESTA, therefore, aims to highlight the vegetables of the four regions. Through the FIESTA, the public will know and appreciate the S&T-based production technologies generated by research institutions. Technologies will be highlighted through the virtual fora and pocket activities during the FIESTA. Notably, the technologies to be promoted through the Consortium and institution-based research on vegetables could potentially help farmers increase their yield and reduce production costs without jeopardizing the environment. Consortium member-institutions of the four consortia, including PCAARRD, will be able to showcase their research-based technologies that are mature for extension, deployment, and commercialization. Technology generators with the potential for large-scale commercialization will engage with investors who will listen to their pitch and decide later whether to adopt and commercialize the technology through a technology licensing agreement. Farmers and agri-stakeholders will be actively engaged as researchers and technology generators elaborate the production technologies that are cost-effective, environment-friendly, and climate-resilient. Students and other agriculture stakeholders will benefit from the different pocket events. It is hoped that awareness will be increased among the public.