The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) and Isabela State University – Roxas Campus (ISU-Roxas) formalized their partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on June 2, 2025, at the BPI Manila.

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This collaboration aims to facilitate knowledge transfer, promote agri-preneurship among students, and strengthen the university’s role as a key partner in agricultural innovation through the Urban Agriculture Program. As part of this initiative, a techno-demonstration site will be established to serve as a venue for hands-on training in urban agriculture. The project is expected to enhance the learning experience of agriculture students while also providing opportunities for faculty-led research, farmer engagement, and the adoption of modern and sustainable farming technologies.

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The MOA was signed by DA-BPI Director and Concurrent Program Director of the National-Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP), Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, PhD., and ISU-Roxas Campus Administrator Emerson V. Barcellano, Ph.D. The signing was also witnessed by Mr. Carl Vincent D. Gapasin, Officer-in-Charge of the BPI-CRPSD and Program Head Coordinator of DA-NUPAP, and Jerry S. Casino Jr., Ph.D., Project Leader-Assistant Professor II at ISU-Roxas Campus.

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This initiative aligns with DA Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr.’s vision for inclusive, innovative, and sustainable agricultural growth in urban and peri-urban areas by fostering collaborations that enhance food security and community livelihoods in the Philippines.

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(060425-08)