By Gian Carlo D. Camacho
Research and technologies on Pili production are being championed today in Bicol through the 2023 Pili Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA).
Held on December 18-19, 2023 at the Proxy Convention Center in Legazpi City, Albay, the activity hopes to touch base with farmers and the industry in promoting Pili as a flagship commodity along Science, Technology, and Innovations in Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources (AANR) in the Bicol Region.
Highlighted during the Pili FIESTA are the research and development (R&D) outputs of the Pili R&D Center.
The Pili R&D Center is a three-year project of the Bicol University (BU) together with Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) and Partido State University (ParSU). It was established through the Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER) Program funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and monitored by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of DOST.
Pili processing machines and various pili-based products are being showcased through an exhibit during the activity. Moreover, a media conference, technology pitching, and technology forum are also conducted to further promote pili technologies that are ready for commercialization.
A proposed Pili Icon for Bicol was also unveiled during the opening program of the FIESTA. It was designed by Architect Leo Del Rosario, Director of the Bicol University Institute of Design and Architecture (BU-IDeA).
Prior to the opening ceremony, the Pili FIESTA team has been conducting the Pili Roadshow in Sorsogon, Albay, and Camarines Sur to promote and bring pili technologies to farmers and other major stakeholders.
“We hope that the 2023 Pili FIESTA will be able to inspire participation from local government units, investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers with the goal of further improving the pili industry and achieving food security, which is also our goal at DOST-PCAARRD,” says Dir. Marita A. Carlos, DOST-PCAARRD Applied Communication Division Director, during her message.
Themed, “Celebrating Pili: People, Propagation, Processing, and Mechanization,” the Pili FIESTA is led by the Bicol Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (BCAARRD) and funded by DOST-PCAARRD.
FIESTA is an IPO-registered technology promotion and commercialization platform initiated by DOST-PCAARRD. It aims to empower farmers and fisherfolk to improve their livelihood as well as match technology generators to target adopters. (DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services)
