In a monumental collaboration, top officials from the Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT), spearheaded by Dr. Joy C. Capistrano, converged with Team Eddiebong, led by Congressman Adolph Edward G. Plaza, in a landmark meeting hosted by the Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR).

The focal point of this pivotal gathering was the Bilateral Partnership on the Philippine National Soil Strategy, which garnered extensive discussions on innovative approaches to soil health and tropical crop management. The initiative seeks to foster sustainable agricultural practices in the Philippines, addressing critical challenges through the implementation of cutting-edge solutions.

Dr. Joy C. Capistrano, steering the ASSCAT team, reaffirmed the institution’s unwavering commitment to advancing agricultural research and development. The pivotal role played by the Soils Health and Tropical Crops Research Institute of ASSCAT in propelling these initiatives forward was highlighted.

Acknowledging the instrumental support, the ASSCAT Board of Trustees, under the commendable leadership of Comm. Jo Mark M. Libre, showcased a seamless integration of technology in agricultural innovation, contributing significantly to this collaborative effort.

Meanwhile, a historic milestone was etched as the Agusan del Sur College of Agriculture and Technology, soon to be Agusan del Sur State University, sealed a transformative memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Griffith University, Australia’s leading institution in science and technology. The MOU, inked at Griffith University’s Nathan Campus in Queensland, witnessed the presence of prominent officials, including Governors Santi Barriga Cane Jr. of Agusan del Sur and Susan Yap of Tarlac, along with Representatives Eddiebong Plaza, Alfel Bascug, Christian Yap, Maria Angela Garcia, and Deputy Majority Leader Wilter Palma. Directors from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Provincial Agriculturists, and academic dignitaries from Griffith University, led by Professor Carolyn Evans, were also part of this historic signing.

The ASSCAT-Griffith University MOU sets the stage for a comprehensive collaboration on soil science and soil health research between the Philippines and Australia. This partnership envisions nurturing a cohort of skilled soil scientists who will drive the Philippine soil health strategy, forging a path toward sustainable agricultural practices and innovation.