1 January 2025
United by a shared goal to improve the agricultural sector in the Philippines and to advance innovative, science-based agricultural solutions that can help farmers protect their harvest and improve food quality, Bayer Crop Science Philippines Inc. and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) have inked an academe-industry cooperation agreement aimed towards developing and strengthening collaborative research, internship, and training activities.
"At Bayer, we firmly believe that leveraging on innovation deeply rooted on science and proven real-world applications, such as novel seeds and traits, crop protection, digital, and agronomic solutions, will be key in helping our farmers adapt to the ever-complex conditions in growing our food. This collaboration with the University of the Philippines – Los Baños (UPLB) signifies the right synergy of strengths. Indeed, our shared commitment to innovation based on science and the good of agriculture are our common ground where we stand firm in helping Philippine agriculture respond to the changing environment" says Allan Vellila, Head of the Bayer Agronomic Technology Center Southeast Asia (ATC-SEA), representing Bayer Crop Science Philippines Inc.
The agreement opens multiple avenues for collaboration such as joint research programs and study papers on key topics and issues affecting the agricultural industry and allows for sharing of technical expertise when necessary. The agreement also enables opportunities for UPLB students to put their technical knowledge of agriculture and food science into practice, helping them to acquire a working knowledge of the technical and human aspects of management of food and agriculture projects and/or activities; as well as learn new knowledge and techniques and gain experience from farm/field/plant operations.
Bayer Crop Science Philippines was represented by Bayer ATC-SEA Head Allan Velilla and Regulatory Affairs Manager Carlo Cabral, with UPLB by Chancellor Jose V. Camacho along with CAFS Associate Dean Christine Adiova, College Secretary Veneranda Magpantay, and Institute of Weed Science, Entomology, and Path Pathology (IWEP) Director Cecilia Medina.
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