Future agriculturists and scientists were challenged by Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar to pursue real innovations and technologies and not let their ideas end on paper in a bid to spur much-needed innovations in the country's agriculture sector.
Speaking during the 69th annual commencement exercises at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in Nueva Ecija on Friday, July 9, Dar encouraged the new graduates to pursue "research for development instead of research and development."
"Research must not end in publication alone. A scrap of paper in some science journal is useless in the field, where actual hard work matters. I’m not saying that publication is not good but let’s turn those publications into real technologies and innovations that can be applied in a big way by the farming and fishing communities," the secretary said.
Dar said that research "must deliver technologies and innovations that can truly be utilized, integrated in the value chain in the food systems, and deliver increased agri-productivity, management efficiencies and additional opportunities and incomes."
The two-time agriculture secretary underscored that "research and development must be more than just words."
He also enjoined the researchers, scientists, students and alumni of CLSU to support the DA as it moves to achieve a modern and resilient agri-fishery sector, as well as a food-secure nation.
During the ceremonies, CLSU conferred on Dar an honorary degree for Doctor of Humanities in recognition of his contributions to the field of public service and agriculture.