September 10-11, 2010

Cebu Grand Hotel, Cebu City

By: Dr. Virginia E. Lacuesta

            The Second Quarter RRDCC Meeting was held last May 27, 2010 at the Law Room of the Negros Oriental State University, Main Campus 1, Dumaguete City with the following Agenda: (1) PCARRD’s Policy Directions for 2010; (2) Priority Non-Degree training Courses for CY 2010; (3) Status of PCARRD-GIA Funds for R&D; (4) NSARRD Rules, Guidelines and Adjusted Cash Prizes for Best R&D Papers; and (5) Proposed CV-CIRRD Strategic Plan 2011-2016.  The first four items in the agenda were presented only for information and comments, while the last item needed RRDCC approval.

            After a thorough deliberation, the Council approved the Proposed Strategic Plan 2011-2016 as presented by the RRDG Coordinator. The highlights of the Strategic Plan 2011-2016 are presented below:

CV-CIRRD 2011-2016 Strategic Plan sets the R&D roadmap for CV-CIRRD for the next five years. It stipulates the strategic directions, priority commodities, and Science and Technology Agenda (STA) of the Region in pursuit of the Consortium’s new vision, mission and goals.

            CV-CIRRD Vision: “A vibrant island-based AFNR sector for a sustainable agri-ecotourism industry.” The new vision was crafted in consideration of the common interests of the people that share common geophysical and socio-cultural characteristics. 

            To realize this vision, the Consortium shall accomplish the following mission: “To effectively coordinate with and mobilize its member agencies and other stakeholders in the generation, development and promotion of improved and appropriate technologies for an island ecosystem-based agriculture, forest and natural resources. With this end in view, CV-CIRRD will work to achieve the goals it has set under the following thematic areas:

§   Poverty Alleviation: Improve the socio-economic condition of the rural communities by pursuing relentlessly, a sustainable agri-ecotourism industry;

§   Food Security: Improve the S&T capability of the AFNR sector to produce enough food for every individual member of every household;

§   Product Competitiveness: Improve through science and technology (S&T), the quality of locally-produced agro-forestry products to make them more globally competitive;

§   Environmental Protection and Management:  Ensure the protection and preservation through reverse rapid degradation of ecosystems, while at the same time, intensify efforts towards a well-developed, eco-friendly agri-ecotourism industry in the region;

§   Governance and Advocacy/ People Empowerment: Empower the local folks and make the family as a basic institution to be at the front line in fostering environmentally sound and socially equitable decision-making insofar as AFNR development issues are concerned; and

§   Full Utilization of S&T: Intensify advocacy and information dissemination campaign to make full use and application of all significant S&T discoveries in the region.