MOU for Rice Technology and Bamboo Research, Signed by Philippines and China
On September 6, 2021, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in bamboo postharvest processing research and rice technology through a virtual signing with China’s Jiangxi Academy of Forestry (JAF) and Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences (JxAAS).
The MOU is the result of the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and China’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) actively working together to find joint initiatives that would benefit both agencies.
These topics of collaboration were selected during the 14th PH-China Joint Commission Meeting on Scientific and Technology (JCMST) in 2017 and were judged to be potential areas of cooperation for the revival of the two nations’ current biennial science and technology (S&T) platform.
This MOU is to establish a long-term and stable partnership between research institutes in the Philippines and China. DOST-PCAARRD was ecstatic to have finally inked partnership agreements with its Chinese partners.
DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo Ebora, JAF President Yang Jiefang, and JxAAs President Dai Xingzhao all signed the MOU.
Partnership Between Two Countries
The Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have had a successful partnership since 1978. The Basic Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, as well as Joint Commission Meetings where priority areas for collaboration were established, reaffirmed this.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has made multiple state trips to Beijing, China, since October 2016, reinvigorating the two nations’ long-standing ties. The Philippines and China then issued a joint statement emphasizing collaboration to explore other areas of bilateral cooperation, including information technology (IT), health, customs cooperation, research and development (R&D), education, and other fields that will be mutually beneficial to both countries, according to President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Rice Technology and Bamboo Research Projects
DOST-PCAARRD and JAF agreed to collaborate on the following initiatives:
- Establishing a Philippines-China joint laboratory on bamboo;
- Research and technology promotion on advanced processing technology of bamboo resources;
- Demonstration and showcasing of new technologies and products; and
- Academic exchange, technical training, and capacity-building services
In this area of collaboration, JAF will collaborate with DOST’s Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) in the Philippines.
On the other hand, DOST-PCAARRD and JxAAS intended to undertake the following projects:
- Rice breeding for rice-fish farming;
- Demonstration and display of important innovative rice-fish farming technologies, goods, models, and intelligent agriculture;
- Adaptation trial and demonstration of green high-benefit and rice-fishery symbiotic farming models;
- Scientists, researchers, and S&T administrative employees exchange visits;
- Consultations on policy; technical training and hosting of theses and dissertations;
Other types of collaboration that may be mutually agreed upon include the sharing of information resources relating to the joint program.
These planned initiatives will be implemented by JxAAS in collaboration with DOST-regional PCAARRD’s partners, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and Central Luzon State University (CLSU).
Undersecretary (Usec.) Rowena, DOST Cristina L. Guevara, and Assistant Secretary (Asec.) Leah J. Buendia reaffirmed the Philippines’ and DOST’s strong commitment to this cooperation.
Strengthening Collaboration
DOST is looking forward to working with MOST and other Chinese authorities and institutions to expand and show the importance of strong international collaboration in dealing with the extraordinary difficulties posed by the COVID-19 epidemic.
According to Asec. Buendia, they want to continue strengthening the cooperation by providing appropriate opportunities for joint research and development, as well as other capacity-building mechanisms and people-to-people interactions. Similarly, they hope that as the cooperation moves forward, they will continue to recognize the need of working and assisting one another in their country’s areas of mutual interest to enhance the expansion and growth of their scientific community.
