Community Members attend 50th USMARDC, 40th PICRI Anniversary Celebration

With the theme “Cultivating Innovations, Growing Resilient Communities,” the University of Southern Mindanao Agricultural Research and Development Center (USMARDC) and the Philippine Industrial Crop Research Institute (PICRI) marked their 50th and 40th anniversaries, respectively, on January 28, 2026, at the USMARDC Building, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato.

Community members, including farmers, gardeners, students, professionals, private agency personnel, USM retirees, and representatives from local and provincial government units, attended the activity.

Dr. Melvin Carlos, the Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Resource Management and Support Services (ARMSS) at DOST-PCAARRD, graced the occasion as the guest of honor and speaker.

In his message, he said he felt honored to be invited as the speaker of the celebration. He shared that as the official representative of DOST-PCAARRD in the event, for him was very special because USM and PCAARRD’s partnership goes all the way down in the establishment of both USMARDC in 1976 and PICRI in 1986. 

“Your sustained commitment (referring to USMARDC and PICRI) to science-based solutions has significantly strengthened food systems and enhanced the livelihoods and MSMEs in the region,” Dr. Carlos underscored.  

He also said in his speech that he looks forward to the celebration igniting a renewed sense of purpose to push boundaries in agricultural and industrial research and extension, enabling wider regional development, and reaffirmed that DOST-PCAARRD will continue to support USM in its research and extension endeavors.

“Innovation is not an end in itself, it becomes fruitful when it reaches our fields, benefits our farms, and uplifts our communities,” he ended. 

The celebration featured field tours for farmers, where they were introduced to USM technologies, farming strategies, and the various orchards at USMARDC. The venue also hosted booths showcasing products, technologies, and research outputs. Some booths offered free product tastings, while others sold agricultural products, seedlings, animal feed, and animal care supplies.

Farmers forum was conducted in the afternoon as the highlight of the activity. Community members had a chance to ask questions and raise their farm-related concerns to the experts from USM and other partner agencies. 

In an interview, Mr. Baltazar S. Tongcua, the President of Sadaan Farmers Association -Midsayap, said that the tour and the forum were a great help, adding that he plans to share what he learned with his members, especially as they prepare for the provincial-level vegetable gardening competition. Mr. Tongcua, the Gawad Saka for Vegetable Gardening 2024 awardee, expressed thanks to USM for the invitation in the activity. 

Also, Ms. Elizabeth Manrique, the President Rural Improvement Club (RIC) -Kabacan, shared that she learned many things during the farmers forum and even expressed her thanks as her questions were answered by the USM experts.  

When asked of her message for USM, she said: “Ang masasabi ko lang po, sana mabigyan pa kami ng more training on gardening at iba’t ibang training na magtuturo ng solusyon ng sakit ng mga prutas.” (All I can say is that I hope we will be given more training on gardening and other programs that will teach solutions to diseases affecting fruits.)

USMARDC is mandated is to develop, generate, and package new and relevant agricultural technologies in priority commodities of both national and regional importance, while PICRI is mandated to develop a National Industrial Crops Research Development and Extension program to sustain and improve further the production of rubber, coffee, cacao, oil palm, fiber crops, spices, and other crops.

To date, USMARDC is directed by Dr. Jurhamid C. Imlan, while PICRI is headed by Dr. Tamie C. Solpot.