Strengthening its commitment to advancing smart and resilient agriculture, the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) formalized a multi-agency partnership on October 29, 2025. The signing ceremony, held at the CBSUA-Agriville and Learning Hub, cemented a collaboration aimed at empowering agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).
The alliance brings together CBSUA, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Office of Camarines Sur II, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Their shared goal is to transform ARBs into key drivers of sustainable economic and social progress in the province.
At the core of this partnership is the Agrarian Reform Governance for Resilience, Economics, and Enterprise Development (AGREE) Program. AGREE seeks to strengthen ARBs and Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) while simultaneously enhancing the technical and leadership capacities of DAR implementers.
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) outlines joint initiatives focused on: capacity-building and technical training, agri-extension and business development, and agri-technology services. These efforts are designed to collectively improve productivity, value-adding, and household incomes for farming communities.
For its part, CBSUA will serve as the institutional hub for innovation and expertise, providing technical assistance, facilities, financial support, and leading the monitoring, evaluation, and documentation of best practices.
During the signing, Engr. Aiza B. Mendez, DAR OIC-Chief for Support Services, presented the project’s two major components: Project KITA (Kabuhayan sa Inobasyon at Teknolohiya para sa Agraryo), which focuses on ARBO development in governance, financial management, climate resilience, and enterprise growth; and Project LEAD DAR (Liderato, Edukasyon, at Asenso para sa mga Kawani ng Repormang Agraryo), which aims to enhance leadership and management skills among DAR personnel.
Dr. Dariel S. Palmiano, CBSUA Vice President for Research and Innovation, expressed optimism that the partnership’s impact would extend beyond direct beneficiaries. He emphasized the necessity of the MOA moving beyond a mere signing to actively strive for the application of proposed opportunities and the data gathered.
ARB Emiliana Volante, President of the Siembre Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization (SARBO) from the municipality of Bombon, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, describing it as a valuable opportunity to equip their members with skills and knowledge in smart and resilient farming. She underscored the importance of such capacity-building efforts given the province’s vulnerability to typhoons and other natural calamities, saying, “Para umulan man o bumagyo, handa kaming mga magsasaka.”
Engr. Rodel C. Martirez, OIC-Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II, underscored the value of integrating academic knowledge with grassroots practice. “This partnership connects science-based knowledge with the needs of farmers, equipping our farmer-beneficiaries to thrive in today’s evolving agricultural landscape,” he stated.
The program proponents, Engr. Dulce Maria Abigail Alto Jastio, Dr. Jayson Danas, Mr. Buster Ibarbia, and Dr. Glenn E. Redecilla, likewise expressed their support for empowering ARBOs and uplifting rural livelihoods through this collaboration.
The MOA was officially signed by representatives from the partner agencies, including Dr. Palmiano and Atty. Dominador Faurillo of CBSUA, Engr. Rodel C. Martirez of DAR CamSur II, Mr. June B. Oliveros of TESDA, and Mr. Jaime J. Paulo Jr. of DTI, along with key program proponents.
