THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture has partnered with the Mariano Marcos State University to boost agriculture and fisheries development in Ilocos Norte province.

The collaboration aims to craft a decentralized and unified research for development and extension program.

It also seeks to improve the institutional capability of MMSU and DA in rainfed agriculture R4DE, thus raising their profile in the national and global research community.

The partnership focuses on five flagship areas — location-specific technological innovations, bioenergy, natural resource management, province-led agri-fishery extension, and international cooperation.

“MMSU and the DA-attached agencies convened in a workshop at the University Center for Flexible Learning on April 26-27 to map out the Rainfed Agriculture and Fisheries R4DE Program in Ilocos Norte,” the school said.

MMSU President Shirley Agrupis gave assurances that the university will maximize its resources to provide quality research, extension and development service to the people.

The school will collaborate with Ilocos Norte-based agriculture agencies including the DA’s Ilocos Norte Experiment Station, Agricultural Training Institute, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Philippine Carabao Center, National Tobacco Administration and the Philippine Fiber Development Authority.

The provincial government will also support the program through the Ilocos Norte Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Network.

MMSU vice president for RDE Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog said their partners will come up with program proposals under the guidance of the Bureau of Agricultural Research.

“These will then be integrated and packaged into one R4DE program to be submitted to DA Secretary William Dar for approval. Once approved, the provincial program management will start,” Alibuyog said.