TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte - The Baybay Rootcrop Farmers Association (BRFA), in partnership with the Baybay City Agricultural Office (CAO), received the Best Grants-in-Aid (GIA) Project- Provincial Level award during the 2025 Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region VIII Science, Technology and Innovation Awards held on September 3 at Robinsons Mall, Tacloban City.
The recognition was given for BRFA’s implementation of the GIA-funded project, Support to the Technology Center for Ice Cream Processing Facility in Baybay City, Leyte. The project utilizes sweet potatoes and other rootcrops supplied by the association as raw materials for ice cream production.
BRFA President Vincent Valiente expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying it validates the work of their association with more than a hundred of rootcrop farmer members and their efforts to promote rootcrop-based products.
“Wa ko nag expect maka daog mi. But money aside, it is good to be recognized. Labaw na kay mga dagko na sila nga mga tao. Makita ni sa mga farmers ug mahibaw-an nila nga naay bunga ang kahago ug ang amo adbokasiya. With that, I am looking forward sa project that DOST will work with us so that mas mo lambo pa ta ug ang syudad sa Baybay.”
The project is implemented in collaboration with Visayas State University’s Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center (Philrootcrops), which provides technical assistance through training and capacity-building programs. The Baybay City Government also supports the initiative through farm inputs, cuttings, and machinery assistance.
According to Valiente, discussions are ongoing for the possible expansion of production areas to strengthen market opportunities for farming households in the city.
The award highlights the potential of grassroots farmer associations to drive innovation in agriculture by linking traditional farming with technology-based enterprises.
This article aligns with Sustainable Development Goals No: 2 – Zero Hunger, 4 – Quality Education, 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, 13 – Climate Action, 15 – Life on Land, 17 – Partnerships for the Goals