Agriculture Secretary William Dar led the inauguration of the Dr. William D. Dar Research Innovation Center, a facility established to serve as a hub for the promotion of technologies generated from agri-fishery research and development (R&D) and breakthrough products and services in the field of agricultural sciences.
“Thank you Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC) for naming this center in my honor. But more than the honor of having my name on this edifice, I likened myself to the third person in the parable of the bricklayers when he was asked, ‘why are you here?’ Gusto kong maging parte ng nation-building. As we mature, as we gain wisdom… habang mas lumalawak ang ating pananaw mas ginugusto nating magsilbi sa ating komunidad,” Dar said.
“I want to be a part of the growth and development of ISPSC so that in due time ‘yung mission and vision nila ay magagampanan nila and part of that is their engagement in research and innovation,” the agriculture chief added.
The agriculture head expounded on the importance of research innovation in the country’s plight for achieving high productivity, increasing incomes, and ensuring food security.
“Dito sa ating bansa, kakaunti sa atin ang nakakaintindi ng importansya ng pananaliksik. Take the case of rice research. It took 40 years before we can arrive at four metric tons per hectare na ani. Forty years of dedicated research. So, kung walang research yan, hindi tataas ang ani natin sa palay,” he stressed.
“You must continue to invest in breeding the best human capital so that these men and women will be the initiators needed to grow and develop ISPSC.”
“So, in many instances, that is the similarity I want ISPSC to consider. Kung ano ang major commodities na importante sa Ilocos Sur, mas lalo na sa agrikultura, ay ‘yun ang titingnan nila. You must continue to invest in breeding the best human capital so that these men and women will be the initiators needed to grow and develop ISPSC. At end of the day, malaki ang magiging kontribusyon ng ISPSC hindi lamang sa lalawigan ng Ilocos Sur but the whole region,” Dar added.
He said that a broader appreciation and understanding of the importance of research is needed given that the population continues to grow and food production must be sustained.
“Ensuring that food production is adequate, and our foods affordable, nutritious and accessible is of utmost priority.”
“Ensuring that food production is adequate, and our foods affordable, nutritious and accessible is of utmost priority. And research innovation has a lot to do with that!” Dar said.
Funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research, the center aims to increase productivity and incomes of agripreneurs through the promotion of R&D-generated technologies and the creation of breakthrough products and services in the field of agricultural sciences.
Joining the inauguration were ISPSC President Gilbert Arce, DA Region 1 Regional Executive Director Nestor Domenden, DA Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 1 Director Segudina Gaerlan, and other ISPSC officials.
