^{(from left to right: Dr. Sherry B. Marasigan (ASI Deputy Director); Dr. Leila D. Landicho (Project Leader and Division Head, DASS-ASI); Ms. Berna Halonghong (Acting Head, Sustainability Development Department – LBF); Dr. Rodmyr F. Datoon (ASI Director); Dr. Blesilda M. Calub (Former Project Leader and OAP Coordinator of ASI); Ms. Analy Borra (Staff, Sustainability Development Department– LBF); and Ms. Christine Joy B. Manalo (Project Staff).}

The key staff of LifeBank Microfinance Foundation, Inc. (LBF) recently paid a visit to the Agricultural Systems Institute, College of Agriculture and Food Science on 12 February 2024.  This visit is part of the annual monitoring of the project “Support Program for Undergraduate Thesis on Organic Agriculture, which commenced in Year 2021 and shall end in 2026.   This program aims to promote organic agriculture, while fostering collaboration between UPLB and LBF.

 This project is a joint effort the Interdisciplinary Studies Center on Organic Agriculture  ( IdSC-OA ), Agricultural Systems  Institute-CAFS, and LBF. This initiative aims to empower students by providing them with the necessary resources and mentorship to conduct research in organic agriculture. Through this support, students are not only able to contribute to the body of knowledge in organic agriculture but also gain practical experience in project management that can be applied in their future careers.

The project team shared insights into the implementation of the program, including the identified researchable topics in organic agriculture which can be explored by the selected UPLB undergraduate students. Additionally, the project team outlined their plans of disseminating the research results to various stakeholders, particularly the organic practitioners.  

Ms. Berna Halonghong, Acting Head of the LBF Sustainability Development Department, and her staff, Ms. Analy Borra, assessed the progress of the project and recommended suggestions about the future trajectory of the program.

Overall, the visit served as an opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of both UPLB and LBF to promoting organic agriculture and empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders.

(CBManalo)