To showcase agricultural technologies and innovations that are geared towards capacitating and empowering the farmers and fisherfolk for agricultural development, the Department of Agriculture – Caraga conducted the 2nd Caraga Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Exhibition (CRAFTE).
Facilitated by the DA-Caraga Research Division, the activity was conducted on June 25 & 26 at the Del Monte Lowland Rainfed Research Station (DMLRRS) in Talacogon, Agusan Del Sur and was attended by farmers and Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs).
With this year’s theme “Shaping the Future: Innovation, Collaboration, & Advancement in Agri-Fisheries in Caraga Region, the CRAFTE serves as a platform for disseminating agricultural innovations, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, while at the same time enhancing linkages and fostering collaborations among stakeholders including farmers and fisherfolk, private sector, local government units, academe, and regional research stations.
The participants were taken on a field tour at the DMLRRS grounds for them to personally see the exhibited climate-resilient farming technologies such as Palayamanan, Next Generation Rice and Biofertilizer Research, Banana Tissue Culture Production, Mushroom Production, and Soybean Research that include Yield Trial, Off-Season Production, and Characterization of Varieties.
Moreover, to enhance the knowledge of farmers, a series of talks on agricultural advancements particularly Farming Mechanization, Philippine Information System, and Virus Detection Technology on Abaca and Banana were also conducted.
Editha Dedomo, a farmer from Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, said she appreciated the activity because she got to see and learn about farm technologies which she believes will be a big help to farmers like her.
Research Division Chief Edelmira R. Luminarias said the CRAFTE is patterned after the National Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Exhibition of the Bureau of Agricultural Research wherein farming innovations and technologies are showcased for the farmers and fisherfolk to replicate.
On the other hand, DA – Caraga Regional Executive Director Arlan M. Mangelen urged all agricultural stakeholders to unite and take part in achieving the common goal of increasing farmers’ productivity and income.
“Through these farming technologies and enhanced collaborations among stakeholders and partners, we can help uplift the lives of farmers and move forward towards a modernized agriculture and fisheries sector,” Director Mangelen said.
The CRAFTE is an annual event of the DA-Research Division that aims to encourage adoption of agricultural technologies which were developed to help farmers’ productivity, efficiency, and profitability. (vpsanchez – DA13/RAFIS)
