QUEZON CITY - The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) have embarked on a collaborative journey marking a significant milestone in hamonizing the delivery of agriculture and fisheries research for development and extension (R4DE) in the country. This likewise ensures that technology generation and dissemination will aimed at addressing the needs of the farmers and fisherfolk in the country.
After a series of consultations with relevant stakeholders at the national and regional levels for the last three years, the Department of Agriculture issued the Memorandum Circular No. 02 Series of 2024, entitled the “Implementing Guidelines on the Institutionalization of Agriculture and Fisheries Resources, Research and Extension for Development Network (AFRREDN).” The document, approved and signed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr., highlighted the salient point of consolidating the ATI’s Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Network (AFEN) and BAR’s Research for Development and Extension Network (RDEN) into the AFRREDN, which will operate both at the national and regional levels. Specifically, the AFRRDEN will focus on six key areas of cooperation namely: Knowledge Management, Technology Incubation, Scaling of Technologies, Co-creation/Co-design of Technologies (stakeholder engagement), Responsive Interventions (addressing emerging issues and concerns), and Policy Development.
Published last April 4, 2024, in the Daily Tribune, the AFRRDEN guideline is expected to provide a comprehensive guide for the planning, prioritization, and implementation of R4DE initiatives as a unified approach to contribute to modernizing the Philippine agriculture and fisheries sector toward food and nutrition security and empowered farmers and fisherfolks.
For more information, the policy document can be accessed through this link: https://www.da.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mc02_s2024.pdf
