From Campus to Cooperative: UPLB Visits ICDeC for Fieldwork and Discussion
A Productive Exchange that Bridges Academic Research and Real-World Agricultural Initiatives
On March 28, 2026, ICDeC opened its door to faculty and students from the University of the Philippines – Los Baños (UPLB) for a fieldwork visit and consultative discussion, a collaboration that both sides hope will turn academic ideas into real community impact.
The visiting group was led by Assistant Professor Venice Jiezzelle C. Nesperos and University Researcher, Ms. Marianne R. Dela Luna of the Entrepreneurship in Agricultural Systems class under the Agricultural Systems Institute, College of Agriculture and Food Science, joined by nine students, eager to see cooperative work up close.
Discussions centered on the contextual background and potential of the REINA-POGI area, alongside updated on ICDeC’s ongoing efforts and future projects in sustainable agriculture. It was a productive exchange, one that laid the groundwork for future projects benefiting both the community and the environment.
After the discussions, the group made their way to the actual project site, where the students took the opportunity to study and assess the area firsthand, gathering the insights they need for their capstone projects, including identifying the most appropriate commodities, technologies, and smart agriculture practices to be integrated. This serves as a stepping stone toward collaborative efforts between academic institutions and the cooperative for a more inclusive participation in the community.
