DALWANGAN, Malaybalay City (PIA)—The Department of Agriculture (DA)-10 inaugurated 14 infrastructure and information technology projects at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), February 14.

Carlene C. Collado, Regional Executive Director of DA 10, said these facilities worth a total of P33.5 million, are being funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research-Bayanihan to Act as One (Bayanihan II)

“These projects range from upgrading, renovation, improvement, installation, and construction, implemented in the different research centers of the agency,” he said.

The upgrading projects include the Modular Screen House, Existing Water Harvesting Facility (for Livestock and Crops), Tunnel Screenhouse, Diagnostic Laboratory, and Plant Tissue Laboratory.

He explained that the Processing Building and Upgrading of Water Harvesting Facility with Concrete Tank are situated at DA-10's Research Center for Hillyland Development (RCHD) in Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

Renovation projects cover both the Crops and Livestock Administration Building at NMACLRC, and the Animal Shed and Feedlot at RCHD.

Collado said the project installation includes the CCTV System at NMACLRC.

Rounding up the list of projects are the Improvement of Technology Commercialization Center with access road, and the construction of various irrigation projects both located at NMACLRC.

“The presence of the state-of-the-art, science-based infrastructure projects with laboratory facilities, can attract more farmers, local government units, and stakeholders that will encourage them to visit the research station. The matured technologies showcased can then be replicated by the visiting farmers upon return to their respective areas. With all these, the agri-tourism research center in Region 10 will be within reach,” Collado said.

Meanwhile, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga said the stations' facilities will enable its personnel to boost their level of performance by transferring improved technologies to farmers and stakeholders in the region. 

NMACLRC chief Carmelito Lapoot assured the management that all will be maximized according to their intended use, adding that they can now cater to more farmers in the conduct of a series of training, technology showcasing, and meetings for the current and coming years.

“We can improve the delivery of our services that will eventually help farmers increase their productivity and income," Lapoot said. (DA-10/PIA-10/Bukidnon)