LOCAL experts and stakeholders from government and non-government institutions will convene for the first-ever Mindanao symposium set to foster discussions on the future of agrifood systems.
The one-day event organized by the University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin) in partnership with Visayas State University (VSU) and the Agri-Aqua Value Chain Laboratory is on Nov. 16 at the Acacia Hotel Davao.
Plenary speakers include Acad. Eufemio T. Rasco Jr. of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Philippines and UPMin professor emeritus. He will tackle the “Pathways to the Transformation of Philippine Food Systems,” sharing his experiences as an advocate for plant breeding, genetically modified crops, underutilized bioresources, and sustainable modern agriculture.
The symposium will also conduct a roundtable discussion with panelists including UP Min agricultural economist and former chancellor Prof. Larry N. Digal, UPMin horticulturist Prof. Emma Ruth V. Bayogan, VSU economist Prof. Moises Neil V. Seriño, Philippine Council for Agriculture Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) assistant director Meliza F. Abeleda, and Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) executive director Undersecretary Janet M. Lopoz.
The panelists will discuss various perspectives on agrifood systems relative to the rise of Industry 4.0 and the impacts of Mindanao conflicts and environmental trade-offs.
Various advances in the research and development of the agrifood system including outputs from the Agri-Aqua Value Chain Laboratory, UP Mindanao project funded by PCAARRD, Mindanao leg of the Roadshow of John Dillon Fellowship (JDF) Projects conducted by Philippine scholars (2021-23 cohort) will also be featured.
The event will discuss the role of research and development in agri-food systems as it will highlight research studies from various higher education institutions (HEIS) and state universities and colleges (SUCs) in oral and poster sessions.
Apart from R&D in agri-food systems, the first-ever research communication event will also tackle biocultural diversity, smart and sustainable environments, health, sports development, and innovation.
UP Mindanao hopes that the discussions “will lead to a fruitful discussion on potential solutions to the agrifood system challenges of today and spur innovative research that can address the concerns of tomorrow.”
The Mindanao Symposium is through the UP Mindanao Foundation Inc. (UPMFI) in partnership with the Southern Mindanao Agriculture Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (SMAARDEC).
A registration fee of P2000 is required for interested participants. They may also pre-register in the link https://forms.gle/swcuF7nqQ2nuDjn7A.
