BIOMECH Engineer, PhilRice and Coop Partners Participates in DOST-PCAARRD CRADLE Workshop

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) conducted a “Training-Writeshop on CRADLE Program Proposal Packaging for the Agricultural Resources Management Sector” from March 12 to 14, 2019 at the RD Guerrero Training Room in DPITC in the PCAARRD compound.

            The three day event was participated in by various researchers from government research and development institutions (RDIs), higher learning institutions (HEIs) and their respective industry partners from the private sector. The Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy (CRADLE) is a component of the Science for Change Program (S4CP) of the DOST. S4CP is an accelerated program for capacity building of DOST RDIs to foster the country’s inductrial competitiveness through science. It is composed of four sub-programs where CRADLE  is one. The goal of CRADLE is to create a synergistic relationship between HEI/RDIs and the industry to invigorate research and development.

            The general mode of CRADLE projects is the one on one collaboration between an HEI/RDI and a private industry partner. The private industry partner identifies a specific industry problem that needs a scientific solution in the form of new technologies or processes. The HEI then conducts the R&D activities to solve the identified problem together with the private industry partner. As the technology or process is developed this will then be utilized by the partner for their actual operations. This assures that there will be a technology user after it is developed.

            Engr. Alexis del Rosario of BIOMECH, Engrs. Rachel Marie Martin and Joey Miano of Philrice  and Engr. Calixto Daquiado of the Maramag Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MACO) participated in the workshop to finalize their project entitled “Enhancing Farm Mechanization Through the Establishment of Farm Service Centers (FSC) in Select Rice Production Areas”. The said project proposal was originally submitted by BIOMECH  to the regular PCAARRD program for funding. The project was to be a collaboration between BIOMECH and PhilRice, where the general objective is to identify cooperatives in major rice producing areas and assist them in establishing farm service centers as business entities that will provide custom mechanized operations for farmer clients. Four cooperatives were identified where MACO, which is based in the province of Bukidnon is one of them. The other coops are based in Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Mindoro Occidental.

            During the course of the workshop DOST discussed the pertinent features of the CRADLE program and the necessary documents needed before the proposal is submitted. The proposal was further polished to align it with the requirements of CRADLE. The proposal was then presnted to a panel of technical experts that included Dr. Jesse Elauria of ABPROD-CEAT, Dr. Rodel Maghirang of CAFS-UPLB and Dr. Johnny Batalon Division Head of ARMRD of PCAARRD. The proposal garnered favorable comments from the panel and further suggestions that will solidify project implementation.

 The final submission of proposals was scheduled for the month of June 2019.