Food experts and the average food lovers are in for a treat. A special, by-invitation event, themed “The flavors of science”, will be hosted by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) at the H2O Hotel, Manila Ocean Park, Luneta Manila on May 12, 2011.
The event aims to push five regional food products to the market: Davao’s coco sugar and syrup, and frozen durian; Bicol’s edible pili oil from kernel and pulp; Guimaras’ mango sauce and catsup; and Benguet’s processed strawberry such as jam, syrup, and preserves. These products are supported by PCARRD’s TechnoMart Program.
TechnoMart provides solutions for the new agribusiness landscape. It helps bridge the gap between the sources of agro-based business to the communities to the appropriate market. Also, the program provides a dynamic venue where science and technology (S&T) products are commercialized and coordinated with the entrepreneurs to gather feedbacks to improve these products.
To accomplish TechnoMart’s ultimate goal of bringing these products from the S&T kitchen to the kitchen of the consuming public, a demonstration in the use of these food products will be held.
Food preparations will be demonstrated by three women entrepreneurs who are behind the flavors of science advocacy: Dr. Jane Avila of the Highland Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (HARRDEC) for strawberry; Rebecca Tubongbanua of the Western Visayas Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) for processed mango products; and Ms. Minda Yee of the Bicol Consortium for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (BCARRD) for pili oil.
HARRDEC, WESVARRDEC, and BCARRD are among the 14 regional R&D consortia of PCARRD.
A panel of experts from the food industry will give their respective impressions on the new developed recipes from the S&T-based ingredients. The presence of processors, consumers, entrepreneurs, and media is expected to help in the promotion of the new products.
PCARRD considers TechnoMart and its partnership with the industry and the media as an effective strategy to enhance the transfer of S&T-based products to the market and disseminate technology, information, and knowledge to the public. (Ma. Anais M. Barbecho, S&T Media Service)
