The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office III (DA-RFO III) and Tarlac State University inked a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of the Central Luzon Agriculture and Fisheries Resources, Research and Extension for Development Network (CLAFRREDN), on Friday (February 14) at the Office of the University President.
Through the partnership, TSU will serve as a voluntary Research for Development and Extension (R4DE) partner institution, working alongside other state universities and colleges (SUCs), local government units (LGUs), private institutions, and Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) across Central Luzon.
“Ang TSU, being a premiere university in the region, is very active and capable. Nasa inyo ang expertise sa pagdedevelop ng mga technology, tulad ng solar-powered irrigation at internet of things na nagagamit sa precision agriculture. Pwede ninyong matulungan ang DA para ma-achieve natin ang goal natin na precision agriculture in the next years,” Dr. Irene M. Adion, Regional Technical Director for Research, Regulation, and Integrated Laboratory Services said.
Dr. Adiion further highlighted that the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to excellence in education, research, and community development.
Per the MOU, the partnership is dedicated exclusively to the network’s operations in planning, prioritizing, and implementing key initiatives, including knowledge management, technology incubation, scaling of innovations, co-creation and co-design of technologies, responsive interventions, and policy development.
The establishment of CLAFRREDN is in line with Republic Act No. 8435, or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) of 1997, which seeks to modernize the sector, uplift the lives of farmers and fisherfolk, and enhance productivity and competitiveness toward a food- and nutrition-secure Philippines.
