Elevating the webinar series to a new level, the College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) launches the Aggie Ps Talk V6 Viewpoints of the Forerunners: Future of Agriculture and Food Systems. For the first episode, titled “The Mind and Science of Innovations,” featured speakers were no less than forerunners of the agriculture and food systems sector, Hon. William D. Dar and Acd. Eufemio T. Rasco, Jr.

Present at the launch was CAFS Dean, Dr. Elpidio M. Agbisit, Jr. who delivered the opening remarks. He shared that this installment of the webinar series ultimately aims to help us achieve transformational change and to future-proof the Philippine food system. Posing a challenge to end his message, he said “Let us have an open mind and heart, and learn to dance with the Philippine food system.”

Also gracing the event and delivering a welcome message was UPLB Chancellor, Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr. He expressed his gratitude to CAFS for the continuous initiatives to help in future-proofing not only the University, but the country’s food systems as well.

Contributing to Human Resources and Research for Development

Hon. Willian D. Dar, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA), quoting Steve Jobs, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower,” believes that UPLB is a leader and will continue to be a leader. 

He highlights the role of higher education institutions, like UPLB, in developing human resources that are vital in the improvement and modernization of Philippine agriculture. He said that these human resources are key factors to the OneDA Reform Agenda that envisions “A food-secure and resilient Philippine with empowered and prosperous farmers and fisherfolk.”

As one of the top Philippine universities in research productivity in science, engineering, and health, Sec. Dar urges UPLB to pursue Research for Development. He said that research must not end up in publication alone, instead, innovations and breakthroughs should reach the grassroots and make a difference in the community. Welcoming increased partnerships and collaboration between UPLB and DA, Sec. Dar challenges UPLB to not only be excellent, but to be more relevant. 

Traditional Food as the Future

Giving an in-depth lecture on nurturing traditional food culture was Acd. Eufemio T. Rasco Jr., National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Member. He delivered his presentation, aptly titled, “Our Future is in the Past: The Science Behind Traditional Food.”

 

Having been inspired by the situation from his own backyard where santol and mabolo fruits are left to rot on the ground, Acd. Rasco passionately shares the science behind traditional food culture and explains how it can help achieve food security. After briefly sharing the national benefits of traditional foods over the current trend of fast and instant food, Acd. Rasco argued that subscribing to traditional food culture will help achieve resilience to disruptions in trade and commerce, guarantee food security, and build resistance against diseases. 

He ended his discussion with a recommendation for CAFS to assert itself to be the national leader in re-assessing, re-invigorating, and re-inventing local food culture as a science-based approach to food system transformation and food security.

The Aggie Ps Talk V6 is part of the CAFS webinar series, Rebooting Agriculture in the New Normal: Webfresher Courses. It will feature different esteemed speakers every Tuesday and Thursday for the month of August. (AKSMojar)

Watch the episode through CAFS YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2eHpY5r2Wc