The Cagayan Valley Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (CVAARRD) Consortium made history with its winning streak as Ugnay Award Grand Winner three times, bagging the Hall of Fame Award. The awards were conferred during the 2024 Science and Technology (S&T) Recognition and Awarding Ceremony and 52nd Founding Anniversary Celebration of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) held on 8 November 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City, Manila.
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The prestigious Ugnay Award is given to outstanding regional research and development (R&D) consortia as PCAARRDโs partner in planning, monitoring, evaluating, and coordinating activities on strategic R&D, R&D results utilization, capability building and governance, and policy analysis and advocacy. The Hall of Fame Award is conferred to a regional consortium that has won first place in the Ugnay Award three times.
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CVAARRD was hailed the Most Outstanding R&D Consortium for 2018-2019, 2020-2021, and 2022-2023. The regional consortiumโs significant role and contribution to R&D was highlighted in the implementation of the following research projects: (a) the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology, Education, Environment Protection and Health (CESTEEPH): A Collaborative Community-based Program for the Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable Utilization of Mangrove Ecosystem in Cagayan; (b) the Tangkiran Haven: Building Stable, Sustainable, and Resilient Communities through Bamboo-based Agroforestry Research, Development, and Extension; (c) the S&T Community-based Farm for Sustainable Lowland Vegetable Production in the Cagayan Province; (d) the Enhancement of Cacao Value Adding Program; (e) the Development of Zero Energy Cool Chamber to Extend the Shelf-Life and Maintain Quality of Fruits and Vegetables Grown in Isabela; (f) the Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubation Project; (g) the Market Development and Expansion of Mang Bean Instant Ginisang Munggo and Instant Mang Bean Noodles Food Products; (h) the Smart Water Resources Planning and Monitoring Assessment, Design, and Development of Water Resources Projects and Interventions; (i) the Production of Smoked Tilapia and Tilanggit for COVID-19 Affected Communities in Southern Isabela; (j) the Smarter and Sustainable Coffee Production through Clonal Propagation and Rejuvenation Technology; and (k) the Tissue Culture and Macro-Propagation of Saba: Cagayan Valleyโs Planting Materials Support System for Banana.
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ย The Consortium is an instrumental partner of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Regional Development Council in Region 2 in implementing R&D initiatives on the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector. It is headed by Isabela State University President Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino, Department of Science and Technology Regional Director Virginia B. Bilgera, and Consortium Executive Director Dr. Miladis B. Mabutol.
