PCARRD promotes PSF at regional TG summit

By Isaac T. Abello

Staff

Science in every product, value addition, market and industry-driven, analysis and market matching, networking and clustering. What do these terms have in common?

They are keywords to Pinoy Science and Technology for Farmers and Entrepreneurs (PSF), the new modality of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD).

During the Regional Techno Gabay Summit and Technomart led by the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) at the Amigo Plaza Mall recently, Dr. Arturo Argañosa, officer-in-charge of PCARRD’s Technology Outreach and Promotion Division (TOPD) announced the new PCARRD program.

According to Argañosa, while commerciable products are the endpoint of research and development, the inadequate supply of quality raw materials, lack of markets and, lack of access to S&T information and technology are basic problems that should be addressed if we are to attain a science-based enterprise.

Under the new modality, the Science and Technology-based Farm (STBF) is from where the supply of raw materials come. Assisted by the partner member agency and led by the Magsasaka Siyentista, the STBF involves the identification and application of Science and Technology interventions for identified focus commodities in order to increase productivity and produce quality products.

Technomart, meanwhile, involves fast-tracking the movement of S&T products from source to the markets, using a variety of rolling up strategies in partnerships with business organizations in the government and private sectors. This involves products and marketing activities that cover product marketability assessments, product promotions, product research and development, value addition and creation, technology transfer and value-chain analysis.

The One-Stop Information Shop (OSIS) will facilitate the information and technology on the S&T involved. Involving strategic communication integrating IEC-ICT partnerships and networks with facilities like the regional/provincial OSIS, showrooms and business hubs, OSIS is the venue for discussions on products, knowledge sessions, market matches & business mentoring, media conferences & product advocacies.