ZAMBOANGA CITY—The Western Mindanao Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development Consortium is hosting a two-day Farmers Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda featuring Zamboanga Peninsula native chicken production.
Science and Technology Undersecretary for Regional Operations Brenda Nazareth-Manzano and Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development acting executive director Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora on Tuesday led the opening of the event.
The program includes science and technology business forums, technology matching, ZamPen native chicken cooking contest, photography and poster-making contests, and presentations being held at Western Mindanao State University here.
In his message, Nazareth-Manzano, reiterated the importance of the transfer of the result of the research and development technologies to end users. She was the Department of Science and Technology Region 9 director.
For his part, Ebora pointed out that science and technology researches are meaningless unless adopted by farmers. He urged FIESTA participants to take advantage of ZamPen native chicken technology.
The respective research consortiums in each of the regions is the face of PCAARRD, he said, and assured the council is committed to promote science and technology in the country.
WMSU vice president for Resource Generation and Wesmaardec Director Dr. Teresita Narvaez said PCAARRD has provided funding for chicken strain purification in 3 regions including Region 9 and sustainability of ZamPen native chicken technology.
She added from the original 42 farmer-cooperators from Mindanao who adopted the ZamPen technology, the number rose to 50 plus farmers from as far as Isabela province.
Zamboanga City 2nd District Rep. Jose Dalipe graced the opening program. PCAARRD Applied Communication Division Director Marita Carlos and other officers of the council also attended the event.
WMSU President Dr. Milabel Ho warmly welcomed participants that included consortium officers from Luzon. Local farmers and university students also participated.
