Symposium tackles partnership between media, R&D units

How the media and research and development institutions can work together in communicating the benefits of modern agricultural science and technology to farmers, policymakers and consumers, will be discussed in a symposium at the SEARCA (SEAMEO Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture) auditorium in Los Baños, Laguna, on Friday, March 31.

Initiated by the Philippine Agricultural Journalists (PAJ), the theme of the symposium is: "Agricultural Science and the Media: Building a Synergistic Partnership for Development."

Some 60 agricultural journalists from Region IV are expected to attend the 8 a.m. symposium which will be hosted by the Los Baños-based SEARCA.

Invited speakers were National Press Club (NPC) President Antonio Antonio; Dr. Felix Librero, chancellor of the University of the Philippines Open University; Dr. Evelyn Mae T. Mendoza of the Philippine Agricultural Scientists; and Riza Baldoria, assistant director, Mega Manila Information Office, Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

They are expected to share their respective experiences and offer new perspective in the light of the new information and communication technology regime, new frontiers in agricultural science, and how these developments impact on national policy making and affect the lives of poor farmers and consumers.

The opening remarks will be delivered by Sanny Galvez, PAJ president who will induct the new officers of the PAJ Calabarzon Chapter following their election to be supervised by the members of the PAJ Board.

The PAJ Calabarzon Chapter membership is composed of media practitioners, information writers and public relations and information officers from the government and private sectors in Region IV.