Member agencies and institutions of the Agriculture / Fisheries Resources, Research and Extension for Development Network (AFRREDN) in Central Visayas inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) held recently in a hotel in Cebu City.
Signatories of the MOU were Department of Agriculture-Central Visayas (DA7) Regional Executive Director Angel C. Enriquez, DA7 RTD for Research and Regulations Wilberto O. Castillo, DA-Agricultural Training Institute-7 (ATI 7) Center Director Gracia Arado, and directors of DA attached agencies, presidents of the state universities and colleges (SUCs), and representatives from different research institutions.
RTD Castillo, in his welcome message, said the activity is more than just a celebration of partnership and collaboration.
“This gathering is like a relationship status update. Saying yes to a stronger coordination, yes to shared resources, and yes to working together and working harder. Not just for compliance but for a real change,” Castillo said.
He added, “when people come together with a common vision and shared love for agriculture and fisheries, we can build something solid, something that works and I wish for a more empowered AFRREDN,” he added.
Director Angel Enriquez, in her message, challenged the AFRREDN partners. She cited that developing countries are very rich because they have very relevant and significant research and encouraged everyone not to stop doing research.
“We in DA will provide platform or policy guidelines to ensure food security of the country but we need your help in two things. Help us produce quality agriculture graduates and help us determine areas where we can do research, in order for us to have food security in this part of the country”, Director Enriquez shared.
Director Enriquez pledged a commitment of support and willingness to seek funding for research studies.
Following the MOU signing was the AFRREDN CV 2nd Quarter Conference for FY 2025.
