The Central Luzon State University (CLSU) through the University Extension Center (UEC) was lauded by the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) during the recently held Closing Program of the Agro Entrepreneurship Clustering Approach (AECA) Course towards Inclusive Value Chains. The activity was attended by participants from the academe, Local Government Units (LGUs), and private stakeholders from various parts of the country.

The UEC introduced AECA a year ago among rice farmers under the Techno Village Program (TVP), an extension innovation inspired by the University leadership and implemented by the institution in partnership with the LGUs of Science City of Munoz and Talavera, Nueva Ecija.

Through the TVP, farmers became aware and convinced to grow special purpose rice, particularly the pigmented rice variety developed by the University Research Center. Despite its higher price, the rice variety is preferred by the market because of its good eating quality and health benefits.

The introduction of AECA enabled farmers to organize their production and marketing.

Forming clusters, the special rice farmers were able to secure a contract with private institutional buyers, ensuring them a good price for their produce.

Farmer Marlon Diga of Cabisuculan, Science City of Munoz says, "may market na po kasi, kaya patuloy kaming nagtatanim ng CLS-2 o pigmented rice variety na natutunan namin sa Techno Village, dahil may kita po talaga." From a mere three in the beginning, 15 farmers now plant CLS-2 special rice variety covering 5 hectares in the program sites.