Dr. Noeni S. Nepomuceno, consortium director of WESVARRDEC was one of the participants of the 1st National Symposium on Mango and Cashew Research and Development held at the Subic Holiday Villas, Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Olongapo City last January 22-24, 2013. Spearheaded by Ramon Magsaysay Technological University, the national symposium's theme "R&D Breakthroughs and New Opportunities Opportunities for Mango and Cashew Industries" focused on bringing together all R&D efforts on cashew and mango of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the country. The event brought together researchers, extension service providers, entrepreneurs, deans/officials, faculty and stakeholders from all over the country.
During the plenary session held during the first day, a global and national mango and cashew situationer was presented by Dr. Jocelyn Eusebio of PCAARRD while Dr. Calixto Protacio of UP Los Banos talked about the opportunities in the year-round production and R&D of mango and cashew under a changing climate. Meanwhile, Mr. Alex Hermoso of PREDA Fair Trade shared the prospects of organic mango production with the participants.
The presentation of R&D papers was conducted during the second and last day of the symposium wherein the participants were able to participate in a lively discussion about the various breakthroughs, developments and innovations in mango and cashew production, commercialization and marketing.
The symposium is of significant importance to WESVARRDEC as mango is one of Region 6's industry strategic plan commodities.