DOST SOCCSKSARGEN Engages Cotabato Vice Governor on Project SARAI  for Smart Agriculture

𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐬, 𝐊𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 | The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) SOCCSKSARGEN Project SARAi team, paid a courtesy visit to the Office of Vice Governor Rochella Marie Ella Taliño Taray, on January 12, 2026, at Amas, Kidapawan City. This is part of its continuing engagement with provincial and local leaders to strengthen science- and technology-driven agriculture in North Cotabato.

The discussion highlighted how Project SARAi—Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines—can support evidence-based planning and policy formulation for the province’s agricultural sector. The team shared how climate, crop, and data analytics generated by SARAi can be translated into practical tools that guide farmers and local decision-makers in improving productivity and climate resilience.

Vice Governor Taliño-Taray welcomed the initiative and stressed the importance of integrating smart agriculture solutions into provincial development programs, noting that access to timely and science-backed information is crucial in empowering farmers and safeguarding livelihoods amid changing climate conditions.

The meeting also opened discussions on the Knowledge, Innovation, Science and Technology (KIST) Park/Ecozone Program, emphasizing its potential role as a hub for agri-innovation, research collaboration, and technology commercialization in the province. North Cotabato’s participation in the KIST Park/Ecozone orientation held in June 2025 was cited as an initial step toward fostering an enabling environment for innovation-led growth.

The courtesy visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of DOST SOCCSKSARGEN, led by Regional Director Engr. Sammy P. Malawan, and the Provincial Government of Cotabato, headed by Governor Emmylou Lala Taliño-Mendoza, to advance sustainable agriculture and innovation through strategic partnerships and science-based solutions