The Department of Agriculture – National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP), through the Bureau of Plant Industry – Agricultural Engineering Division (BPI-AED), formally turned over a newly established Indoor Cultivation System (ICS) to Central Luzon State University (CLSU) on December 12, 2025, at CLSU, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. The event brought together CLSU faculty and staff, partner agencies, and local farmers, all united by a shared goal: to strengthen climate-resilient food production in the region.
The ICS is a 20-foot container van repurposed into a solar-powered, controlled-environment facility designed for hydroponics and microgreens. Beyond its technical features, it reflects a growing commitment to transform agriculture through innovation. By enabling year-round cultivation regardless of weather conditions, the system serves not only as a production unit but also as a learning space for students, researchers, and farmers.
The program began with Engr. Elaiza Nicole Dotimas, OIC-Chief of the BPI Agricultural Engineering Division, welcomed guests and expressed gratitude for their presence at the turnover ceremony.
Remarks from Mr. Carl Vincent Gapasin, Head Coordinator of NUPAP, followed this. He emphasized the importance of the DA–CLSU partnership, especially as farmers continue to face challenges brought by climate change and extreme weather. He highlighted the ICS as a promising innovation in controlled-environment agriculture and encouraged CLSU to optimize further and sustain the system.
Representing CLSU, Dr. Emmanuel Vera Cruz, Vice President for Research and Extension, expressed the University’s appreciation to the DA-BPI and reaffirmed CLSU’s commitment to maximizing the impact of the new technology.
Dr. Vera Cruz was joined by Mr. Ivan Christian Salinas, OIC Director of the Crops and Resources Research and Development Center. Mr. Salinas thanked farmers, faculty members, the University President and Vice President, and Former University President Dr. Edgar A. Orden for their support, which made the project possible despite a limited workforce. He also expressed gratitude to DA-BPI and DA Region 3 and shared optimism for continued collaboration.
The ceremonial turnover concluded with the presentation of the turnover certificate and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Guests later joined a guided tour of the ICS, led by Turbulent Konstrak, which showcased the system’s features and potential applications.
The establishment of the Indoor Cultivation System marks more than a technological milestone. It represents a shared vision for resilient, sustainable, and accessible food production. As CLSU begins operating the facility, the ICS stands as a symbol of collaboration, innovation, and the collective commitment to advancing climate-smart agriculture in Central Luzon and beyond.
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