MAGALANG -- Research and development for upland crops have now received a major boost as Agriculture Secretary William Dar led the groundbreaking of the Central Luzon Integrated Agricultural Research Center (CLIARC) Multi-Purpose Research and Development Center in Magalang town.

This also included the inauguration of CLIARC Technology Extension Center held at Research Outreach Station early this week.

Funded by the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Agricultural Research, the Multi-Purpose Research and Development Center will be a laboratory for tissue culture that would focus on the micropropagation of upland crops.

With the establishment of this facility, the objective of the DA-Regional Field Office III aims to conduct different researches on upland crops for tissue culture propagation; develop protocols for upland crops production through vine cutting technique as production guide for upland farmers; and produce upland crops seed/cuttings/tubers.

According to Dar, the DA is setting up new programs, innovations and plans for the growth and development of the agriculture sector in the country.

“Technology-based farming na tayo. Technology and innovations are the engines of growth for industrializing agriculture. This is now the time to really showcase what is Philippine Agriculture five years, ten years, and twenty years from now,” Dar said.

Subsequently, the Technology Extension Center established under the Rice Research and Development will serve as a venue for training, conferences, meetings and other events.