The eFARM (Food and Agriculture Resources Management) Academy Program, initiated by Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and funded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), has officially launched its eFARM Academy Website on January 25, 2022. The virtual launching was joined by a total of 375 participants locally and internationally.

Dr. Gella Patria Abella, program leader preceded the event together with Asst. Prof. Maria Adrielle S. Estigoy and Prof. Celyrah Castillo, Projects 1 (eGROW) and 2 (eKITCHEN) Leaders, respectively, and the whole eFARM team. Moreover, it was also graced by Atty. Lily Freida C. Macabangun-Milla, CESO IV Director III of CHED-IAS and her staff, Mr. Franz Louie Franco.  The resource persons of the eFARM Academy program were also present namely, Dr. Antonio J. Barroga, Dr. Franz Nogoy, Dr. Rich Milton M. Dulay, Mr. Neal Del Rosario, Dr. Jonathan Galindez, Engr. Christopher Pascual, Mr. Nestor Pagaduan and Dr. Emmanuel M. Vera-Cruz.

“Everyone is welcome to engage here at CLSU. Be a partner of development”, said Dr. Renato Reyes, Vice President of Academic Affairs and International Affairs Office Director, in his welcome message.

He also shared that the eFARM Academy Website is part of the Learning Management System of the eFARM Academy Program which aims to offer and transfer technologies developed by CLSU as a premiere international agri-fishery techno-education tourism hub.

CLSU developed and generated technologies will be featured or covered on the e-learning platform. For the first phase of the program, Asst. Prof. Estigoy mentioned that the technologies to be included are aromatic and hybrid rice production, organic onion production, indoor vertical farming system, aquashade system, mushroom production, goat production, and zero-waste pig (ZWaP) farming system. She also said that this initiative will bring challenges but it will also bring huge opportunities. “We will make agricultural education more accessible, so that everyone, or at least to those who are showing interest in agrifisheries, will already be on board the digital express,” she added.

On the other hand, Prof. Castillo also shared that eKITCHEN aims to translate the research outputs of CLSU into a variety of food processing technologies and culinary applications that would be accessible through the eFARM Website and social media accounts. She also pointed out that the project aims to encourage the viewers to explore entrepreneurial opportunities in food processing and food preparations.

In conclusion, Dr. Abella said in her message “This is our way of bringing people closer to productivity in support to the university’s thrust to serve humanity by educating the world on food security first and foremost.” She hoped to sustain the program as they continue to do their best to serve the stakeholders.

Meanwhile, students can now enroll in the course on Zero-Waste Pig Farming System, initially. All other courses will be available in the next few months. Also, courses for the first year of project implementation will be offered free.

To learn more about the eFARM Academy Program, you may check this link: www.efarm-clsu.com