As a member institution, the Agroforestry Research, Development and Extension Center (ARDEC) joined the Southern Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development Consortium (SMAARDEC) in celebration of its 35^th Founding Anniversary on August 16-18, 2022 at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), Obrero, Davao City with the theme, “SMAARRDEC @ 35: Strengthening AANR Industries and Communities towards a resilient and economically competitive Davao Region”.

The three-day celebration was participated by different multidisciplinary member-agencies composed of national government agencies, academe, and local government units in the entire Region XI which are engaged in knowledge and technology generation, R&D results utilization, technology transfer, capability building, and governance and policy advocacy for science and technology (S&T) development.

The celebration highlighted various activities which include an exhibit; Techno-Gabay Conference; Stakeholders Night; Regional Symposium on Research, Development and Extension Highlights; Technology Pitching and Industry Forum; and Farmers and Fisherfolks Forum.

During the exhibit, ARDEC showcased its generated technology on contour farming using lemongrass as vegetative strips through posters and distribution of brochures alongside the local products of ARDEC stakeholders from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato and Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

ARDEC also participated in various events such as poster and paper presentations where Chemist II Royette C. Posadas won second place for best paper presentation under the Research Category for his paper titled “Risk Profiling of Consuming Mercury-Contaminated Crops in Monkayo, Davao de Oro, Philippines”.

SRS I Reylan Dave Evangelista, on the other hand, participated in a poster presentation where he presented the same study.

Moreover, as the highlight of ARDEC’s participation in the three-day event, the Center conducted a technology forum in unison with SMAARRDEC’s Farmers and Fisherfolks Forum on the third day.

Supervising SRS Vilma Flauta-Nitura, TTTPEU Head, presented the technology on contour farming using lemongrass as vegetative strips as a result of the study conducted by her team in 2017 in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

Mr. Ranato K. Untang, Chairman of Lake Sebu Upland Development Association (LASUDA) and ARDEC’s technology adopter, took the center stage to share his significant experiences while adopting the said technology and to inspire and encourage other farmers to adopt the technology for income generation as well as soil conservation.

On the other hand, Mr. Benjamin M. Maputi, Chairman of Mt. Kitanglad Agri-Eco Tourism Farm in Imbayao, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon shared his experiences in contour farming with citronella as the main vegetation.

Capping the three-day participation of ARDEC in the event, the center was awarded a citation for its remarkable contribution as a member and partner of the consortium in providing significant support for the development of the Davao Region specifically on its invaluable support in the implementation of the project on Pest and Disease Incidence and Severity in Falcata Plantations in Mindanao.

As a member institution, the participation of ARDEC in SMAARRDEC’s 35^th Founding Anniversary paved way for more partnerships with other member agencies and collaboration is in the offing to bring development in the entire Region XI. MCRamirez, ARDEC

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