DOST-PCAARRD AgriAqua Innovation Pitch Fest

RAISE Caraga shone at DOST-PCAARRD’s Agri-Aqua Innovation Pitch Fest 2024 as Engr. Silong’s pitch for the Sago Pith Extracting Device won the Best Technology Pitch award and Danggit Dried Fish Ice Cream earned a spot as a Top 10 Finalist in the poster competition.

The RAISE Program in Caraga showcased its innovations at the DOST-PCAARRD Agri-Aqua Innovation Pitch Fest (AIPF) held on August 16, 2024, at Royce Hotel and Casino, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. The event featured 22 pioneering technologies in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector, aiming to turn science and technology (S&T) ideas into successful business ventures.

AIPF 2024 spotlighted innovations across four categories: Agri-Aqua Inputs and Products, Food Products, Agricultural/Aquatic Equipment and Machinery, and Other Agri-Aqua Technologies. Representing RAISE Caraga, Dr. Rodel Oclaret from Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT) pitched the Hi-Pro Chick Starter Feeds in the Agri-Aqua Inputs category, while Engr. Lord Boy Silong from Caraga State University (CSU) pitched the Sago Pith Extracting Device in the Agricultural Equipment and Machinery category.

Alongside the pitch fest, the RAISE Caraga team set up a booth to highlight their food and non-food innovations. They showcased products like Tropical Chips Durian, Blackgold Nutribar, Sweet Potato Brownie Bites, Chayote Peanut Bar, and Chookoa Brittles Almond, offering free samples to attract visitors. The booth also provided information materials on developed technologies from FIC Caraga, CSU Main Campus, FIC CSUCC, NEMSU, and ASSCAT. The exhibit aimed to forge partnerships and attract adopters for these innovations.

Meanwhile, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr., DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora, and DOST-PCAARRD TTPD Director Noel Catibog visited the RAISE Caraga booth, expressing their support and appreciation for the region’s contributions.

The RAISE Caraga team brought home a plaque and a cash prize of ₱10,000, celebrating their success and reaffirming their role as a leading innovator in advancing AANR technologies in the region.

RAISE Caraga would like to thank the team of ACMEC Pro, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering- CarSu, and Center for Resource Assessment, Analytics and Emerging Technologies CSU-CReATe. Also, to the following individuals and who have contributed to this success, namely: Engr. Aljon E. Bocobo, Engr. Juliet R. Maureal, Engr. May Rose Osoteo, Engr Art Dalman, Engr. Neil Caesar Tado, Engr. Cindy Mae Belivestre, Engr. Juven Luzurata. 

This achievement builds upon the foundational work of the 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀, Kim Kelly D. Datinggaling, Mark Louie C. Bacalso, Renyl B. Barroca, and under the advisory of Engr. Jefrey M. Bagasbas. Their innovation was 𝗳𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 by Earl Anthony Delfin, Jan Manuel Sumando, under the advisory of Engr. Cindy May Belivestre, leading to a refined and impactful technology. Their combined contributions demonstrate the power of teamwork, expertise, and continuous innovation in advancing technological solutions.

𝙇𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙍𝘼𝙄𝙎𝙀 𝙏𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙇𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙂𝙤 𝙎𝙖𝙂𝙊!