UNITED States (US) Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Klecheski lauded the Fulbright alumni and Benguet State University in helping promote programs for the agri-fishery in the region.
“I convey my appreciation and support to both Fulbright alumni and Benguet State University (BSU) for their empowerment programs for the agri-fishery stakeholders in the Cordilleras,” Klecheski said in his short visit at BSU, La Trinidad, Benguet, recently.
Klecheski joined the luncheon boodle fight with some 150 farmers and 38 Filipino Fulbright agricultural scientists during the break of simultaneous farming technology fora and research workshops.
These were all part of the annual national conference of the Fulbright Philippines Agriculture Alumni Association (FPAAA) which is a group of returning Filipino researchers who obtained graduate degrees and advanced training in various fields of specialization in agriculture and fishery through the Fulbright scholarship in the United States.
“Fulbright is one of the most prestigious programs of the United States which enjoys a long-standing reputation of delivering significant positive contributions to pressing issues in the United States and around the world,” he said.
Among the notable figures who received Klecheski at the BSU open gym were former BSU president, Dr. Rogelio Colting, current BSU president Dr. Feliciano Calora, Jr., Benguet Governor Crescencio Pacalso and FPAAA president Dr. Danilda Hufana-Duran.
The technologies in the scientist-farmer sessions covered hydroponics, mushroom pharming, biocontrol agents in postharvest and crop production, organic farming, pesticide management and livestock production.
Fish production, animal reproductive technologies and other advancements in allied fields were presented in a separate science poster exhibits.
Another major component of the conference was capability building for 188 researchers from 14 universities and research institutions nationwide.
There were plenary presentations on funding sources for agri-fishery research, scholarships and career path for scientists. Afterwards, simultaneous mentoring sessions were conducted on the following workshops: research proposals for funding, study proposals for scholarships, writing for scientific journals and bioinformatics for crop improvement.
Colting served as keynote speaker of the conference with the theme Agritourism for Community Empowerment. (PR)