π–πŒπ’π”-𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐂 π‘πžπ¬πžπšπ«πœπ‘πžπ«π¬ π†πšπ«π§πžπ« π‘πžπœπ¨π π§π’π­π’π¨π§ 𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐀𝐄𝐃𝐀 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐚π₯ π‚π¨π§πŸπžπ«πžπ§πœπž

WMSU-SERDAC researchers secured a prestigious award, bringing honor to the institution at the recent Philippine Agriculture and Economic Development Association (PAEDA) National Conference. The event was held at Visayas State University in Leyte from December 3 to 5, 2024. The conference gathered researchers from across the Philippinesβ€”Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanaoβ€”who presented 40 research papers on various fields in agriculture.

The research paper titled β€œπ‘°π’Žπ’‘π’‚π’„π’• π‘¨π’”π’”π’†π’”π’”π’Žπ’†π’π’• 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 π‘«π’†π’‘π’‚π’“π’•π’Žπ’†π’π’• 𝒐𝒇 π‘Ίπ’„π’Šπ’†π’π’„π’† 𝒂𝒏𝒅 π‘»π’†π’„π’‰π’π’π’π’π’ˆπ’š-π‘Ίπ’Žπ’‚π’π’ π‘¬π’π’•π’†π’“π’‘π’“π’Šπ’”π’† π‘»π’†π’„π’‰π’π’π’π’π’ˆπ’š π‘Όπ’‘π’ˆπ’“π’‚π’…π’Šπ’π’ˆ π‘·π’“π’π’ˆπ’“π’‚π’Ž (𝑫𝑢𝑺𝑻-𝑺𝑬𝑻𝑼𝑷) 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 π‘―π’π’“π’•π’Šπ’„π’–π’π’•π’–π’“π’†/π‘¨π’ˆπ’“π’Šπ’„π’–π’π’•π’–π’“π’† 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓,” presented by Mr. Dennis R. Marcelino, was recognized as the Second Runner-Up for Best Paper under the category of Policy Analysis and Impact Assessment in Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR).

The study, funded by DOST Region IX, assessed the effectiveness and relevance of the DOST-SETUP program in enhancing the technological capabilities of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) within the Zamboanga Peninsula’s horticulture and agriculture sectors.

The research findings highlight the significant positive impact of the program in improving products, services, and operations, resulting in increased productivity and competitiveness among MSMEs. The program achieved a Benefit-Cost Ratio of 1.16, indicating that the government’s investment in the DOST-SETUP program is highly beneficial.

The research team comprised Dr. Teresita A. Narvaez, Mr. Dennis R. Marcelino, Dr. Anabel E. Gamorez, Mr. Alvener H. Sakili, Mr. Moh. Shanizee A. Sarabi, and Mr. Claro R. Potenciano Jr., all faculty and staff members of Western Mindanao State University (WMSU). (Dr. Teresita R. Narvaez, VP-Resource Generation)