CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--Department of Agriculture-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado conducts a meeting on the convergence initiatives for the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP), May 25, at the agency compound.

Collado said the program seeks to create a rice industry that is thriving, resilient, and sustainable while boosting the productivity and income of farmers.

Discussions centered on regional convergence, the targets and strategies of clustering and consolidation, and value chain development and digitalization.

Through the activity, RED Collado is hopeful to strengthen the synergy among agencies engaged in the whole rice value chain for the successful implementation of MRIDP.

Select Regional Management Committee members in Northern Mindanao attended the meeting on-site and via the virtual platform, namely: Bureau of Plant Industry-Plant Quarantine Services (BPI-PQS), BPI-Satellite Pesticide Analytical Laboratory (BPI-SPAL);
Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Food Authority (NFA), and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

Supporting the activity are DA-10 consultant Joel S. Rudinas, Field Operations Division chief Luz I. Guzman, PhD, Rice focal person Chona H. Nacalaban, and other personnel of the agency. (DA-10/PIA-10)