With the aim to serve as an educational avenue for the youth to develop an awareness of the vital role of agriculture in the country and nurture their interest in agriculture and fisheries, the University of the Philippines Los Banos – College of Agriculture and Food Science (UPLB-CAFS), in partnership with Sorsogon State University (SorSU) and DOST – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), is presently spearheading the two-day 7th AgriMOVE (Materials of Value and Essence) Symposium from April 25-26, 2024, at the SorSU Audio-Visual Hall, Sorsogon City Campus.
Bearing the theme, “Enhancing Collaborations and Interdisciplinary Research for a Food Secure Philippines,” the AgriMOVE Symposium, launched in 2012, highlights poster presentation competitions, plenary talks across diverse fields of agriculture, exhibits, and other relevant activities.
With 361 participants in total, including 291 Junior and Senior High School student-participants from Sorsogon National High School, SorSU – Laboratory High School, & San Juan National High School (Casiguran, Sorsogon), and undergraduate attendees from Partido State University (ParSU) as well as 70 faculty, exhibitors, presenters/co-authors, and others, the eagerly-awaited symposium officially commenced with welcome remarks from the Dean of the UPLB-CAFS, Dr. Elpidio M. Agbisit, Jr., emphasizing that such an event is a milestone to celebrate the youths and their pivotal role in shaping the future of agriculture both in the country and in the world.
“To the young minds present today, I urge you to see agriculture not just a field of study or a career path, but a calling — a calling to be guardians of our resources and champions of sustainability.”
Dr. Agbisit concluded that the youths hold the ‘power to redefine the generation that not only feeds the Philippines but nourishes it with sustainable practices.’
Notably, Hon. Congresswoman Marie Bernadette G. Escudero (First District of Sorsogon Representative), the esteemed keynote speaker of the two-day symposium, underscored in her message the significance of fostering stakeholder collaborations, particularly between government and academe, to promote an evidence-based approach to food security policies and legislations.
She remarked, “Access to sufficient and nutritious food is not just a basic necessity but a fundamental human right… By bringing together diverse perspectives from agriculture, science, technology, and policy, we can forge a path toward a more resilient and sustainable food system.”
Moreover, UPLB Chancellor Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr.; Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Hon. Sec. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., PhD; and Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora (DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director) likewise extended their respective messages through video presentations.
Meanwhile, the two-day collaborative event highlights the DOST Balik Scientist Talks featuring Dr. Janneli Lea A. Soria (Environmental Science) as well as Dr. Myra O. Villareal (Functional Foods) and Dr. Vito M. Butardo, Jr. (Plant Bioinformatics and Machine Learning in Agriculture) via recorded presentation (in Japan and Australia, respectively). In addition, the Overview of Student Research Poster Exhibit and Competition will be headed by Dr. Mary Ann D. Maquilan (Poster Sub-Committee Chair).
Further, the afternoon session of Day 1 will feature invited Expert Scientist Talks on various areas, which include Dr. Ramon A. Razal (Forest Products), Dr. Anacleto M. Argayosa (Aquaculture Research), Dr. Arnel N. Del Barrio (Dairy Science), Dr. Francisco B. Elegado (Food Biotechnology), and Dr. Gil Nonato C. Santos (Nanotechnology and Agriculture).
Moreover, Day 1 will also showcase Flash Talks for Poster Presenters Competition (By Research Area), encompassing: a. Biosystems Engineering/Biotechnology (4); b. Horticulture/Crop Protection (4); c. Animal Husbandry (3); d. Fisheries/Aquatic Environment (3); and e. Food Science and Technology (2). (SorSU PIO)
