𝐁𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐎𝐎 𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐎𝐏⎮ 𝐈𝐒𝐔 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧, 𝐅𝐃𝐍 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐈𝐧𝐤 𝟓-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐚 | ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY

In a strategic step to advance outcomes-based agricultural education, Isabela State University Cauayan–Aurora Extension Campus formalized a five-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with FDN Integrated Farm, opening expanded farmlands and modern facilities for student practicum, research, and immersive field training, March 2.

The partnership, signed by Prof. Boyet L. Batang, PhD, SUC President IV, and Mr. Francis D. Nitura, Owner/Manager of FDN Integrated Farm, cements a shared commitment to elevate the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA) program in compliance with Commission on Higher Education policies, particularly CMO No. 23, s. 2021.

Under the agreement, FDN Integrated Farm has pledged six hectares of prime agricultural land, with two hectares each allocated for orchard production, vegetable production, and rice-based systems at no cost to the University. The farm will also grant supervised access to essential machinery, including a four-wheel tractor, hand tractor, rice transplanter, combine harvester, water pumps, and other vital tools to strengthen hands-on learning and field-based instruction.

Asst. Prof. Cipriano M. Ticman Jr., PhD, Director of the Institute of Agricultural Technology, represented Isabela State University-Cauayan Campus under the leadership of Prof. Marisol S. Foronda, PhD, during the signing of the agreement with FDN Integrated Farm.

The expanded areas will serve as living laboratories where students will conduct crop production, orchard management, pest and disease assessment, varietal trials, fertilizer application experiments, water management, harvesting, and post-harvest operations. Faculty-supervised activities will ensure alignment with curriculum standards while upholding safety, environmental stewardship, and proper waste management.

The MOA further ensures full compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012, relevant workplace safety regulations, and intellectual property policies, protecting the interests of both parties while promoting responsible collaboration and innovation.

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