DA-BAR, SEARCA, WorldFish polish Philippine RDE agenda and programs

Led by the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) in partnership with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and WorldFish, they convened a Refinement Workshop on the Review and Updating of the Research, Development and Extension Agenda and Programs (RDEAP) on 17-18 March 2016 at the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Compound, Quezon City. The workshop followed through to refine the draft outputs of the National Multistakeholder Consultation Workshop on the Review and Updating of the RDEAP for 2016-2022 conducted last 15-19 February 2016 at Luxent Hotel, Quezon City. The recent refinement workshop further enhanced the formulation of an updated, relevant, responsive, and sustainable RDEAP for 2016-2022. In May 2016, all inputs from series of consultations and meetings will be integrated and presented to DA leadership for adoption.

The participants include the members of the DA-BAR Pool of Experts, representatives from DA Operating Units, and selected technical staff of DA-BAR. The participants were likewise grouped into seven breakout sessions with the lead facilitators of each group as follows: 1) Dr. Jose Hernandez of UPLB (Rice); 2) Ms. Rosemarie Aquino of DA-RFO 2 (Corn and Other Staples); 3) Ms. Josephine Ramos of Options, Inc. and Prof. Rex Demafelis of UPLB (Plantation and Biofuel); 4) Mr. Elmer Enicola of UPLB (Vegetables and Rootcrops); 5) Dr. Edralina Serrano of UPLB (Fruits); 6) Ms. Cynthia de Guia of BAR (Poultry, Livestock and Feedstock); and 7) Dr. Maria Lourdes Cuvin-Aralar of Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) (Fisheries and Aquaculture).

Workshop participants from SEARCA Project Development and Technical Services (PDTS) led by Dr. Lope B. Santos III, Program Specialist and Officer-In-Charge, included Ms. Nancy M. Landicho-de Leon, Program Specialist; Ms. Maribel B. Almanza, PDTS Project Associate; and Ms. Maria Rossa Agatha J. Ermino, Project Associate. (Maria Rossa Agatha J. Ermino)