Guimaras Research Conference Highlights Agriculture, Tech Innovations

The Guimaras Research Conference showcased a range of research studies focusing on agriculture, food and technology, economic development, and human resource productivity on the island.

Several agriculture-related studies were presented during the event held on Oct. 9, 2024, at Guimaras State University in McLain, Buenavista, Guimaras. These studies highlighted the province’s agricultural strengths and potential for innovation. Topics included soil fertility of selected plantation crops, disease detection and treatment in Guimaras swine farming, sustainable waste management using the Black Soldier Fly, root performance of air-layered calamansi with various organic soil media, and modified techniques in bangus culture.

The event, themed “Data-driven Development: Empowering Guimaras Through Research and Innovation,” is part of the Guimaras Data Festival.

Ms. Lovella Gamo, Assistant Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator, who represented Gov. JC Rahman A. Nava, emphasized the critical role of data and statistics in policy-making.

“To fully understand the state of the province, accurate data is essential to plan, provide interventions, and develop policies for progress. Accurate data is generated through research. This conference serves as a platform to present innovative ideas that will guide our actions in different fields,” she said.

“We are fortunate to have Guimaras State University as a research institution because research is the foundation on which progress is built. In every discipline, research helps us uncover new ideas, challenge assumptions, and solve pressing issues,” Gamo added.

Guimaras State University President Lilian Diana Parreño noted the importance of the event for exchanging ideas and opinions. She stated that the conference aligns with the university’s vision of becoming a research university by 2040.

“Our vision is to become a research university by 2040. Today’s activity is very fitting, as we hear the results of studies focused on Guimaras. As the only state university in the province, it is part of our mandate to conduct research,” Parreño said.

“This conference serves as a platform for sharing knowledge that will shape policies and practices in agriculture, environmental conservation, tourism, health, and education. The work we do today will not only guide the direction of our province but also inspire other communities towards progress,” she added.

The studies presented underscored the importance of agriculture in Guimaras, not only for food production but also as a vital part of its tourism and economic development strategy, supporting its vision of becoming the agri-eco tourism capital of Western Visayas.

The Guimaras Research Conference aims to contribute to local policy-making by highlighting research-backed solutions to enhance the island’s development.

The month-long Guimaras Data Festival is part of the celebration of National Statistics Month.