The Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture–Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR), Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan, together with her team, visited the Agriculture and Food Technology Innovation, Incubation, and Commercialization Center (AFTIICC) at the Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology, Lagangilang Main Campus.
The DA-CAR delegation was warmly welcomed by ASIST President Dr. Gregorio T. Turqueza Jr., Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Noel B. Begnalen, Chief Administrative Officer Mr. Elizier B. Lazo, and AFTIICC Director Dr. Nero M. Paderes. The visit was part of DA-CAR’s regional initiative to strengthen institutional collaborations in agricultural research and technology development, particularly in line with the agency's thrust for food security and sustainable farming practices.
During the visit, the ASIST leadership provided a comprehensive briefing on the mandates and operations of the AFTIICC, emphasizing its role in incubating and commercializing agricultural technologies, products, and innovations. The delegation toured several ongoing externally funded research and development projects housed at the center, including initiatives on banana tissue culture, bamboo propagation, oyster mushroom production, and smart agriculture systems.
A key highlight of the visit was the DA-funded Organic Fertilizer Production Area, which recently acquired state-of-the-art machinery capable of producing up to one ton of organic fertilizer per production cycle. To determine the productivity of the facility, Atty. Dawayan requested that a formal research study be undertaken to assess the efficiency and output of the organic fertilizer processing machine. She also expressed DA-CAR’s full support for upgrading ASIST’s research and laboratory facilities, offering both technical assistance and potential funding support to enhance the institute’s capacity as a regional agri-research hub.
During a short dialogue, Atty. Dawayan also interacted with research staff and project leads, commending them for their dedication to community-responsive innovation. She emphasized the value of academic-government partnerships in empowering farmers and delivering practical, science-based solutions to rural development challenges.
In response, the ASIST President and VPAA reaffirmed ASIST’s unwavering commitment to advancing the agriculture sector through education, research, and technology transfer. They conveyed the institute’s readiness to collaborate further with the Department of Agriculture in the areas of capacity building, extension services, and policy-aligned research.
The visit concluded with initial discussions on possible future collaborations, including proposal development for regional agricultural extension programs, enhanced faculty-researcher training, and the institutionalization of ASIST as a recognized partner for agri-tech incubation and farmer support in the Cordillera region.
This high-level engagement marks a significant milestone in ASIST’s continued pursuit of excellence in agricultural research, innovation, and public service and strengthens its linkages with government agencies in support of inclusive and sustainable development.
