http://aavc-lab.upmin.edu.ph/home

Agri-Aqua Value Chain Laboratory, CARIM Complex, Maguindanao Road , UP Mindanao, Brgy. Mintal, Davao City (2026)

03/10/2026

IN PHOTOS | From training the trainers to reaching the farmers. 🌱 👨‍🌾 📱

Following the Training of Trainers on the Aqro Mobile Application previously conducted in Brgy. Tamayong last July 27, 2026, the Agri-Aqua Value Chain Laboratory (AAVC Lab) in partnership with CAMP Asia, conducted a hands-on training for farmers on September 19, 2026, at the Barangay Sirib Gymnasium, Calinan District, Davao City.

The training brought together farmers from Barangay Sirib, Tagakpan, Manuel Guianga, Tamayong, Wangan, and Cawayan to learn how to use the Aqro Mobile Application for recording and managing farm information.

The training began with an introduction to Bookkeeping through the Farm Business School (FBS) approach of the Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI), providing participants with foundational knowledge on keeping track of their farm-related financial information.

This was followed by an introduction to the Aqro Mobile Application, where the farmers learned its key features and took part in hands-on activities covering installation and login, app navigation, and inputting actual farm data. With the assistance of the CAMP Asia Youth Assistants, participants were guided through each activity and given the opportunity to apply what they learned using the application.

Building on the earlier Training of Trainers, the activity brought these lessons directly to farmers and communities, connecting basic farm bookkeeping with digital tools for more organized farm record-keeping.

The AAVC Lab extends its appreciation to CAMP Asia and its Youth Assistants, as well as the Barangay Sirib officials and staff, for their support and assistance in the conduct of the training. 💚💙

30/09/2026

1 DAY LEFT! 💬🗣️

We’re just one day away from AVCDE1: Stakeholders’ Forum, the inaugural episode of Chain Reaction: Agri-Aqua Value Chain Dialogues, with the theme “Cultivating Common Ground: Co-Creating Solutions with Stakeholders for Sustainable Communities in the UP Mindanao Land Reservation.”

Join us as stakeholders and participants come together to share experiences, exchange perspectives, discuss opportunities, and explore possible areas for collaboration.

📅 October 1, 2026 | 8:00 AM–12:00 NN
📍 First Floor, CARIM 3, University of the Philippines Mindanao
💻 Online via Zoom

For those joining online, registration is open until today at 11:59 PM. Scan the QR code or register through the link below:
🔗 https://forms.gle/LJJkUKVgCxGuNBdB9

See you tomorrow! 💚💙

In partnership with:
UP Mindanao - Society of Agribusiness Economists
UP Mindanao - Information Technology Office
UP Mindanao Public Relations Office (PRO)

26/09/2026

Welcome to the inaugural episode of CHAIN REACTION: AGRI-AQUA VALUE CHAIN DIALOGUES! 💬💚💙

The Agri-Aqua Value Chain Laboratory (AAVC Lab), in collaboration with the UP Mindanao Land Reservation Management Office (LRMO), invites you to AVCDE1: Stakeholders’ Forum, with the theme “Cultivating Common Ground: Co-Creating Solutions with Stakeholders for Sustainable Communities in the UP Mindanao Land Reservation.”

The Stakeholders’ Forum will bring together farmers, government agencies, local government units, academe, private institutions, development partners, and other stakeholders to share experiences, discuss challenges and opportunities, and explore ways to sustain and build on initiatives in the UP Mindanao Land Reservation.

As part of the forum, the Land Reservation Management Office (LRMO) will present the accomplishments and challenges of their CHED-funded Special Action Research Project, titled “Linking Cacao Farmers to a Sustainable Market for Better Income and Improved Well-Being: The Case of Small-Scale Farmers in the UP Mindanao Land Reservation Area in Marilog, Davao City.” This will be followed by a stakeholder exchange on the project’s experiences, opportunities for collaboration, and possible ways forward to sustain its gains beyond the implementation period.

📅 October 1, 2026 | 8:00 AM–12:00 NN
📍 First Floor, CARIM 3, University of the Philippines Mindanao

To join via Zoom, scan the QR code on the pubmat or register through the link below:

🔗 https://forms.gle/LJJkUKVgCxGuNBdB9
⏰ Registration deadline: September 30, 2026.

This forum is completely free and open to everyone. Don’t miss the chance to be part of the conversation, connect with fellow stakeholders, and learn more about the experiences and opportunities surrounding the UP Mindanao Land Reservation. 🗣️

In partnership with:
UP Mindanao - Society of Agribusiness Economists
UP Mindanao - Information Technology Office
UP Mindanao Public Relations Office (PRO)

25/09/2026

A new conversation begins. 💬🔗

Introducing CHAIN REACTION: AGRI-AQUA VALUE CHAIN DIALOGUES (AVCD), an industry talk and stakeholder dialogue series of the Agri-Aqua Value Chain Laboratory (AAVC Lab) at the University of the Philippines Mindanao.

The Agri-Aqua Value Chain Laboratory (AAVC Lab) is a research and innovation facility focused on value chain and development research in agriculture, aquaculture, and natural resources, funded by by the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD). Through research, data, technology, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement, the Lab works to strengthen agri-aqua value chains and support the communities and stakeholders within them.

As part of the AAVC Lab's knowledge management component, Chain Reaction provides a platform for bringing together different stakeholders to share experiences, exchange knowledge, discuss relevant issues, explore opportunities, and identify possible areas for collaboration across agri-aqua value chains.

Each episode will focus on a specific value chain, issue, project, or opportunity. The format may combine expert or project presentations, stakeholder perspectives, farmer or community experiences, organizational responses, moderated discussion, and open forum.

This marks the beginning of a series of conversations that connect perspectives and open opportunities for collaboration and action.

Stay tuned for the inaugural episode of Chain Reaction: Agri-Aqua Value Chain Dialogues! 💚💙

24/09/2026

AAVC LAB SHOWCASES AQRO AT DAVAO AGRI TRADE EXPO 2026 🌱📱

The Agri-Aqua Value Chain Laboratory (AAVC Lab) participated in the Davao Agri Trade Expo (DATE) 2026, held on September 17–19, 2026 at the SMX Convention Center, Davao City, as one of the exhibitors under the PCAARRD Mindanao Consortia.

The event brought together research institutions, innovators, industry stakeholders, and technology adopters to showcase agricultural, aquaculture, and natural resources innovations from across Mindanao.

As part of the exhibition, the AAVC Lab showcased Aqro, highlighting its digital tools and knowledge resources being developed to support farmers and other stakeholders across the agri-aqua value chain.

Mr. Jeff Erxon B. P***n, Project Technical Assistant III, and Mr. Merc Caecar Maiquilla, Project Technical Assistant II, represented the Lab at the booth, engaging with congress participants and introducing Aqro and the Lab’s digital tools and knowledge resources.

Through its participation, the AAVC Lab contributed to the PCAARRD Mindanao Consortia’s efforts to bring research and innovation closer to farmers, industry partners, entrepreneurs, and other potential technology adopters.

02/09/2026

STRENGTHENING CAPACITY IN
IMPACT EVALUATION! 📊📈

The Agri-Aqua Value Chain Laboratory (AAVC Lab) conducted a three-day Impact Evaluation Training-Workshop on August 24–26, 2026, at the CARIM Board Room, University of the Philippines Mindanao, with participants from the AAVC Lab team and the Land Reservation Management Office (LRMO) of UP Mindanao.

The training was facilitated by Value Chain Analyst Mark James Saguimpa, who shared the knowledge, insights, and practical learnings he gained from his previous training in impact evaluation. The workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to understand, design, and apply rigorous approaches in evaluating the effectiveness and impact of programs and interventions.

On the first day, the participants focused on the foundations of impact evaluation, covering counterfactuals, causal inference, Theory of Change, exposure, and Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), along with randomization levels, estimands, compliance, threats to validity, and case studies. On Day 2, the training explored matching methods and Propensity Score Matching (PSM), covering potential outcomes, the Conditional Independence Assumption (CIA), subclassification, exact and approximate matching, and the practical application of PSM using Stata. Finally, on the last day, the participants were introduced to advanced methods such as Regression Discontinuity Design, Instrumental Variables, and Synthetic Control Methods. The workshop also covered the development of a complete impact evaluation study, including Theory of Change, sampling and power calculations, fieldwork protocols, quality-control mechanisms, stakeholder mapping, and communications planning.

Through this three-day training and workshop, the AAVC Lab team strengthened its practical understanding of impact evaluation and gained tools that can support more rigorous, credible, and evidence-based research and decision-making. More importantly, the training equipped participants with a stronger foundation to assess what works, understand why interventions create change, and generate reliable evidence that can inform program improvement, guide policy decisions, and contribute to more effective and sustainable development outcomes in the agriculture and aquaculture sector. 💚💙

The AAVC Lab extends its sincere appreciation to Mark James Saguimpa for generously sharing his expertise, experiences, and learnings, and for facilitating this productive training and workshop.

28/08/2026

AAVC LAB AT THE 20TH NATIONAL VEGETABLE CONGRESS (NVC) 2026! 🌱🧑‍🌾🌾

The Agri-Aqua Value Chain Laboratory (AAVC Lab) participated in the 20th National Vegetable Congress, held on 18–20 August 2026 at The Tent, Azuela Cove, Davao City. With the theme “Agricultural Innovation: Gateway Towards a Sustainable and Profitable Vegetable Industry,” the congress brought together farmers, researchers, government agencies, agribusinesses, development partners, and other industry stakeholders to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and advance innovation across the Philippine vegetable value chain.

On the first day of the congress, Prof. Giovanna Fae R. Oguis, PhD, Associate Professor at the University of the Philippines Mindanao, presented the topic “From Building for Farmers to Building With Farmers: Developing Inclusive Digital Innovations with Smallholder Farmers,” as part of the session on digital innovations for smallholder farmers. The presentation was delivered on her behalf by Ms. Novy Aila B. Rivas, Project Technical Assistant III of the AAVC Lab, highlighting a participatory approach to digital innovation that places smallholder farmers at the center of developing technologies that respond to their needs.

On the second day, the AAVC Lab showcased its initiatives through an exhibition booth featuring the Laboratory, the Aqro Mobile Application, and its Knowledge Management System. Mr. Jeff Erxon B. P***n, Project Technical Assistant III, and Mr. Merc Caecar Maiquilla, Project Technical Assistant II, represented the Lab at the booth, engaging with congress participants and introducing the digital tools and knowledge resources being developed to support farmers and other stakeholders across the agri-aqua value chain.

The Congress, organized in partnership with the Department of Agriculture–High Value Crops Development Program (DA-HVCDP) and the Vegetable Industry Council of Southern Mindanao (VICSMIN), Inc., provided a platform for knowledge exchange and technical learning, climate-smart vegetable technologies, agribusiness matching and networking, policy dialogue and industry collaboration, technology exhibits and field tours, and the sharing of farmer innovations and best practices.

Through its participation in the 20th National Vegetable Congress, the AAVC Lab continues to strengthen its commitment to inclusive digital innovation, knowledge exchange, and stakeholder engagement toward more sustainable, resilient, and competitive agri-food value chains. 💚💙

18/08/2026

IN PHOTOS | AAVC LAB & DOrSU CONDUCT AQUACULTURE VALUE CHAIN EXPOSURE VISIT ACROSS DAVAO REGION 🌊🐟📝

The Agri-Aqua Value Chain Laboratory (AAVC Lab), together with Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU), conducted a three-day Exposure Visit and Stakeholder Engagement on Aquaculture Value Chain and Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP) from 4–6 August 2026 across Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental.

The activity was conducted in line with the ongoing project on integrating Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP), social inclusion, and sustainability in shrimp and milkfish value chains in Regions XI and XII. Through visits and engagements with key value chain actors, the activity provided firsthand insights into existing production and marketing systems, industry practices, and challenges across different nodes of the value chain, supporting the project’s efforts to map key actors and assess GAqP adoption in the aquaculture sector.

The exposure kicked off in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, with a meeting at the City Agriculturist’s Office to discuss the local aquaculture sector and its production and infrastructure concerns. The team then visited the Panabo National Mariculture Park, engaging with fish cage operators, harvesters, and the Cagangohan Women’s Association to gain insights into milkfish production, harvesting, and value-adding activities. The exposure continued at ALT Hatchery and Bangus Garungan near CAGRO, where the team observed milkfish breeding and fry production, and at JEG Processed Fish, where they learned how locally produced bangus moves from production and processing to supermarkets, restaurants, and other markets.

On the second day, the team proceeded to Pantukan, Davao de Oro, where the focus shifted to the shrimp value chain. Engagements with industry and community stakeholders provided a closer look at fry and feed supply, grow-out production, harvesting, and marketing, while surfacing challenges related to production costs, water quality, energy, mortality, and access to capital. The team later traveled to Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental, where engagements with fisherfolk organizations highlighted community-based livelihood activities and local mariculture initiatives.

For the final leg of the exposure, the team headed to Mati City, Davao Oriental through engagements with DOrSU and visits to aquaculture sites in Dahican. Discussions further explored shrimp production, financing and market access, as well as opportunities and challenges in sustaining aquaculture operations.

Across the three-day exposure, the team was able to trace different segments of the shrimp and milkfish value chains: from inputs and hatchery operations to production, harvesting, processing, and markets. The field insights and stakeholder engagements contribute to the project’s broader goal of strengthening GAqP adoption and supporting more inclusive, sustainable, and competitive aquaculture value chains in Regions XI and XII. 💚💙

13/08/2026

WATCH | Highlights from the Training of Trainers on the Use of the Aqro Mobile Application, conducted by the Agri-Aqua Value Chain Laboratory (AAVC Lab) in collaboration with CAMP Asia on 27 July 2026 at the Tamayong Barangay Hall, Calinan District, Davao City, in preparation for the upcoming deployment of the application. 🌱📹

12/08/2026

IN PHOTOS | On 27 July 2026, The Agri-Aqua Value Chain Laboratory (AAVC Lab), in collaboration with Camp Asia, conducted the Training of Trainers on the Use of the Aqro Mobile Application at the Tamayong Barangay Hall, Calinan District, Davao City. 📱📚

The training brought together CAMP Asia Youth Assistants and heads and members of the Davao Mt. Apo Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (DAMAFACO) to strengthen their knowledge and practical skills in supporting the deployment and adoption of the Aqro Mobile Application within farming communities.

The activity combined lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on workshops covering key components of the deployment, including bookkeeping and farm record management, the use of the Aqro Mobile Application, farmer onboarding, and the User Management System.

Assistant Professor Shemaiah Gail P. Placencia, one of the Project Leaders of the AAVC Lab, led the Bookkeeping Appreciation Lecture, highlighting the importance of proper record-keeping in strengthening farm management and supporting informed decision-making. AAVC Lab Project Technical Assistants Jeff Erxon B. P***n, Novy Aila B. Rivas, and Merc S. Maiquilla facilitated the succeeding sessions and workshops on the Aqro Mobile Application, deployment and onboarding processes, User Management System, and data collection procedures.

Through the Training of Trainers, the participants were equipped to support farmers throughout the deployment, from onboarding and navigating the application to maintaining appropriate farm records and facilitating data collection. The training also provided participants with opportunities to apply their learning through guided worksheets and hands-on activities.

The training forms part of the continuing collaboration between AAVC Lab and CAMP Asia to strengthen local capacities and harness digital solutions that support farmers, improve agricultural information and farm-level data management, and contribute to more inclusive and sustainable agricultural development. 💚💙

Agri-Aqua Value Chain Laboratory

03/10/2026

30/09/2026

26/09/2026

25/09/2026

24/09/2026

02/09/2026

28/08/2026

18/08/2026

13/08/2026

12/08/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request