June 4, 2024 – Representatives from the Central Luzon Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources and Development Consortium (CLAARRDEC) conducted an orientation on the CLAARRDEC Techno Village Program at the Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT). This initiative aims to transform communities into technology hubs, enhancing livelihoods, agribusiness activities, yields, and incomes, thereby driving economic development.

Dr. Aldrin E. Badua, Associate Professor and Technology Promotion Coordinator, led the orientation with Ms. Rachelle Liberato, Admin Officer; Ms. Ellen Joy Brillo, Science Research Assistant; and Ms. Pamela Cañavera, Science Research Assistant for the RAISE Program.

Dr. Badua outlined the Techno Village Program framework, emphasizing its structured approach. The input phase includes program management, expert technologies, funding, and resources. The process phase involves mobilization, profiling, capacity building, establishment of Techno Village farms, enterprise development, and technical assistance. The output phase focuses on creating Techno Village farms to improve general well-being, food security, farm income, and agro-enterprise management practices.

Representatives from ASCOT, including Dr. Alking Gorospe, Director of the Research and Development Office; Dr. Ricardo G. Gonzales, Director of the Extension and Rural Development Office; Ms. Geralyn Rose Romero, Community Development Officer; and Mr. Mart Angel Quiap, Project Technical Assistant II, participated in the orientation.

A seminar workshop scheduled for June 10 aims to generate output from ASCOT, which will include the production of technology and innovation to integrate into the Techno Village Program as an extension project.