ADB program expands to 3 more towns in Pangasinan

Three more Pangasinan towns have been added as sites of the expanded project on crop-animal production system funded by Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Now covered by Phase 2 of the "Crop-Animal Systems Research Network (CASREN), Project in the Philippines" are Balungao, Calasiao, and Sta. Barbara.

Phase 1 (1999-2000) of the project, which primarily focused on research, covered Barangay Montaño, Umingan only.

CASREN forms part of the "Crop-Livestock Production System in Rainfed Areas in Southeast Asia" Other countries covered are Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and China.

As in Phase I, the second phase (2002-2004) will be implemented by the Los Baños-based Philippine Councilor for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) and the Kenya-based International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

Development-oriented in contrast to the research focus of Phase I, CASREN 2 aims to disseminate applicable technological interventions, develop and recommend policy changes and enhance the capability of the national agricultural research system. — Rudy A. Fernandez