The faculty of the College of Agricultural Sciences (CAgS) in the persons of Dr. Julius T. Vergara (College Dean) and Prof. Rhea Joy D. Flora (Program Head for BSA) participated in the National Congress and 2019 Philippine Agriculturist’s Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Complex, Pasay, Metro Manila last July 7-11, 2019. The Congress was organized by the Philippine Association of Agriculturists (PAA) Inc. with the Professional Regulations Commission and accredited integrated organizations. This year’s theme of the Congress was “Embracing and Institutionalizing the 4th Agriculture Revolution in the Digital Age”. This was participated by agriculturists from all over the Philippines coming from the different private and government institutions such as local government units, national governments, and state universities and colleges.

The 7th National Congress addressed the major challenges facing the agriculture sector as it transforms into a higher agtech industry or AG 4.0. The 3-day event aimed at providing venue and discussion platform to facilitate an exchange of ideas in addressing these challenges; gaining a better perspective of the marketing initiatives and alliances that are being pursued by farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs to competitively manage buyers’ evolving needs and wants for agricultural products; exploring the alternative ways of supporting the innovation fields of AG 4.0 for both human food and animal feed; and determining strategic directions to nurture the gains of industry 4.0 through improved governance, better policies, and preparing tomorrow’s workforce. This year’s congress had 4 plenary sessions: (1) Agriculture Feeding the 4th Industrial Revolution; (2) Megatrends Shaping Agribusiness and Food Markets: Challenges and Opportunities; (3) Driving the Innovation Fields AG 4.0; and (4) Nurturing the Gains of AG 4.0.

On the first day (July 8), a pre-Congress session was conducted to provide opportunities to discuss the Philippine Qualifications Framework and continuing professional development concerning agriculturists as professionals as well as progress in the Philippine Agriculturists’ Bill.