𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓, 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐅𝐈𝐃𝐀 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐚 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐈 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫

To further reach farming communities in the region, the DOST Caraga had a consultative meeting with the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) XIII on May 11, 2026, at the DOST Caraga Regional Office in Butuan City.

The meeting served as a venue to explore potential collaboration and the integration of SARAI technologies and digital platforms into PhilFIDA’s ongoing programs, projects, and activities aimed at supporting the region’s abaca industry.

Assistant Regional Director for Field Operations Ricardo N. Varela shared DOST Caraga’s commitment to extending its services to local abaca farmers, particularly through the provision of timely and accurate agricultural advisories using smart farming technologies under the Project SARAI CeNTRO initiative.

Present during the meeting were PhilFIDA Caraga OIC Regional Director, Mr. Samuel Nacino Jr., Regulatory Unit Head Alfritz Ceballos, Fiber Development Officer II Phoebe Grace Colonia, and Engineer II Rene Ibarra Jr.

Recognized as one of Caraga’s priority agricultural commodities, abaca continues to play a vital role in the livelihood of farming communities and the local agricultural economy. In line with this, DOST Caraga continues to advance science and technology-based interventions to further enhance the sector’s development.