Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar on Monday urged state universities and colleges (SUC) and research and development (R&D) institutions to participate in pushing the growth of the agriculture and fisheries sector.

In a statement, Dar said that the state universities must reshape their curricular program based on the challenges and opportunities of the region.

“They must become the Research and Innovation University of the region. They must produce highly knowledgeable and skilled human capital for agri-industrial development of the region,” said Dar.

The Agriculture chief noted that the SUC must also develop models of farm consolidation that is export and market-oriented, models of inclusive agribusiness anchored on value chain system, and models to engage more the youth in agriculture and agribusiness.

He added that they must also be the leader in the digitalization of agriculture in the region and the leader in developing demand-driven and market-oriented research and extension systems.

“We need to as much as we could produce food for this country,” Dar said, noting that the current rice adequacy level of the country is at 85 percent.

Dar also requested R&D institutions to have a purposeful impact assessment of the top technologies they have developed and do much-targeted research that will produce relevant technologies that will make farmers and fisherfolk more competitive.