by Christy B. Amular
WESVARRDEC Staff
A research utilization conference on S&T Development of the Organic Muscovado Industry in Western Visayas was held at Central Philippines State University last June 5, 2013. A field visit to the muscovado techno-demo farm in Kabankalan City and a ceremonial signing of CPSU-GIZ reforestation project were conducted before the research utilization conference proper.
The S&T Development of the Organic Muscovado Industry in Western Visayas is a DOST-PCAARRD funded program comprised of 2 project components: Benchmark Survey and Supply Chain Analysis of the Muscovado Industry in Western Visayas and Techno Demo of Organic Muscovado Production in Negros Occidental and Antique. The baseline survey and the techno demo farms serve as the jump-off points vis-a-vis the benchmark in order to establish the appropriate and relevant that may apply from 2011-2013. Once gaps had had been evaluated, documented and deliberated, then the succeeding components under Phase II (components 3 to 7) will be implemented.
Present during the technology forum were Dr. Freddie C. Maningo, CPSU President, Hon. Isidro P. Zayco, City Mayor, Kabankalan City, Dr. Patricio S. Faylon, PCAARRD Executive Director, Dr. Noeni S.Nepomuceno. Updates and progress of the two projects were presented by the project leaders, consultants, farmer scientist and technical experts involved. UPV marketing professor and former WESVARRDEC consortium director Joseph Edward O. Idemne moderated the open forum.