24th RDE Symposium held

Agricultural researchers and development workers from the different government agencies, state universities and colleges, and local government units convened for the 24^th Regional Research, Development and Extension (RDE) Symposium on November 21-23, 2012 at the Convention Center, Visayas State University, Baybay, Leyte.

This regional symposium is an annual event jointly conducted by two major research networks - the Visayas Consortium for Agriculture and Resources Program (ViCARP) and the Regional Research, Development and Extension Network (RRDEN). This year, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFA) Regional Office 8 officially joined as a new member of the consortium.

Like previous years, research and development studies in the region competed for top honors in four categories. These include the outstanding R&D paper in research, development, and extension, and the best poster.

All entries went through a rigorous screening with notable persons in the field of research activity acting as panel of evaluators namely: Ms Ligaya Santos of the Department of Agriculture (DA) - Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) as the chairperson in the search for Outstanding R&D Project, and Dr. Wolfreda Alesna of VSU as the chairperson for the best poster competition.

Copping the top award in the research category was Julie D. Tan, et. al of the VSU for their study on “Product Optimization and Market Testing of Dessert Red Wine from Purple Taro and Black Rice.”

Meanwhile, the paper titled “Development of a Cost-Effective Protected Vegetable Cropping System in the Philippines” by Zenaida C. Gonzaga, et. al of the VSU was adjudged as the best paper in the development project category.

Under the extension project category, the paper titled “Enhancing Productivity of Rice Farmers through Diversified and Integrated Farming Systems: The Palayamanan Model (Baculanad Experience)” by Eduardo Y. Zabala et. al. of the Leyte Provincial Agriculture Office garnered the best paper.

For the best RDE poster, Lucia M. Borines, et. Al of the VSU won the award through their entry titled as “Participatory Action Research (PAR) on Phytophthora Management delivers positive outcomes for Smallholder Jackfruit Farmers.”

DA-8 Regional Executive Director and RRDEN-RAC Chair Antonio G. Gerundio commended the two R&D networks for maintaining a good research system in the region. RED Gerundio likewise encouraged the delegates to work harder and make the most from their extension and service delivery considered as one of the most crucial aspects in countryside development. (by:PND Custodio, Media Production Aide)