As with all agricultural associations, affiliations, and organizations here in the Philippines, there is a main consortium that encompasses the central Luzon area of the Philippines. This is the CLARRDEC or the Central Luzon Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium. It consists of a conglomeration of 26 various institutions and agencies within Central Luzon that conducts research and development in agriculture, natural resources and forestry. These have all been grouped to achieve specific objectives, share knowledge and expertise, and resources to complement each other. This will further push the horizon of research and development in the main region itself.

Furthering Agricultural Research and Development

The Philippines being an agriculture heavy country that contributes to its economic income and industry, has to have agriculture research and development. There are also various regions in the Philippines that undergo any research and development whether it’s focused in the Rice cutivation, vegetable and fruit crop cultiavation, livestock, fisheries, and many more. These efforts are spearheaded by departments like the Department of Agriculture, PARFUN, and other agri related organizations and associations.

Agricultural Resources Focused on and Taken into Consideration as Commodities for Research and Developemt

The R and D focuses on several resources that are deemed geographical commodities that can be focused on to develop more products that are viable to market to domestic and foreign markets:

• Applying research to a wide range of economically and agriculturally important commodities and disciplines.
• Companies that develop centers for basic and applied research on a single commodity or theme, focusing on cotton, tobacco, coconuts, rice, sugarcane, forest utilization, ecosystems, and various livestock animals.
• R and D centers focus on help and support from other center and education agencies geared towards agriculture like Department of Agriculture.
• Cooperation with stations under the DAR and Department of Environment and Natural Resourcesand even private sectir agencies. There are specific field trials, experiments needed to be done. Also taking into account micro environmental defferences.

The Consortium’s Services

• Formulates and approves policies and plans in adherence to agriculture and resources research and development goals
• Identifies, validates and recommends regional research and development programs
• Facilitates the dissemination and commercialization of research results and mature technologies
• Monitors and evaluates research and development projects implemented by the member-agencies

Core Group Meetings and Research and Develoment Agendas for each Member and Partner Organization:

There are annual meetings being held by the CLARRDEC every February 22, May 28, September 19 and December 2 of each year. Here some of the highlights that are being discussed:

• Coordinator`s Report
• ICT Equipment
• Training Workshop on Research and Technology Management
• Seminar Workshop on Monitoring Compliance to CEDAW in Region 3
• Training on Packaging, Labeling and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Selected CLARRDEC Technical Staff
• Training of Partner-Member Agencies (PMA)
• Composition of PMA Techno Gabay Team
• Farm Primers of Focus Commodities
• Memorandum of Agreement of CLARRDEC
• Synthesis of the 2008 Agency In-house Reviews
• Philippine Journals with ISI Citation
• Working Committees for the CLARRDEC 30th Anniversary
• Review of R and D Proposals
• Regional Techno Gabay Program
• Establishment of Gender Resource Center in Region 3
• DAR-Partner Member Agency (PMA) Project PICAT: A Convergence Strategy for Assisting ARC Communities in Region 3
• Work and Financial Plan and Proposed Budget for 2008
• Composition of CLARRDEC Core Group Members
• Resolution Requesting Implementation of Consortium

Publications and other Media by CLARRDEC

The consortium disseminates important information that’s relevant to its members and partner agencies. It is also a good resource of publications and other media that can help various agriculture groups not only in the Central Luzon area but also other agricultural regions in the Philippines. Here are the following primers and leaflets as taken in verbatim from their resources online:

Primers:

• Pagtatanim ng mangga
• Gabay sa pagtatanim ng gabi
• Gabay sa pagtatanim ng “tissue-cultured” na saging
• Gabay sa pagtatanim ng kawayan
• Producing quality seeds from farmers field

Leaflets:

• Pasteurized milk
• Cheese spread
• Kesong puti (ginamitan ng rennet & suka)
• Magtanim tayo ng luya
• Magtanim tayo ng sibuyas
• Pang kalusugang gabay sa pag-aalaga ng kambing