Published January 15, 2025 by Lucky Cuevas
On January 15, 2025, the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) and Cagayan State University (CSU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize a decade-long partnership in advancing crop biotechnology and plant breeding innovations. This collaboration is poised to enhance agricultural research and development in the Philippines through shared expertise and resources.
The MOU, which will run from June 2024 to May 2034, was signed by Dr. Arthur G. Ibañez, OIC University President of CSU, and John C. De Leon, Executive Director of DA-PhilRice. Other key signatories included Dr. Hitler C. Dangatan, CEO of CSU Piat, and Dr. Junel B. Guzman, Vice President for Research and Development at CSU.
The partnership stems from the growing need to address pressing challenges in agriculture and to leverage biotechnology for sustainable food security. Under the agreement, both institutions will jointly focus on crop improvement, utilizing cutting-edge biotechnology techniques and new plant breeding innovations. These efforts align with the DA’s thrusts as outlined in the R4D plan for agriculture.
The partnership builds on previous successful collaborations between DA-PhilRice and CSU, notably during recent research activities. Neil Nemesio A. Baliuag, Plant Breeder and Rice Research Project In-Charge at CSU Piat, and Jehna Marie Cordero, Molecular Biologist at CSU Piat, will spearhead the research initiatives under this partnership, which are expected to drive breakthroughs in rice and other crop breeding.
This partnership underscores the importance of fostering collaborative ties between academic institutions and government agencies to accelerate agricultural innovation. By uniting resources and expertise, DA-PhilRice and CSU aim to make significant strides in improving the Philippines’ agricultural landscape for the next decade.