11 November 2021-Some fifty (50) attendees participated the talk on Fine Nanobubble technology and its Uses in Agriculture and Aquaculture on 10 November 2021, 10:00 pm (CHL time) / 11 November 2021, 9:00 am (PH time) in collaboration with Office of the Agricultural Attaché in Washington D.C. PE, DA-BFAR as well as KRAN—a Chilean pioneer on the use of nanobubble technology in South America. Attendees were from a wide array of PHL private and public sector stakeholders, LGU officials, as well as members of the academe collectively specializing in agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries: DA, DA-BFAR, National Technology Center of Pagbilao, the PHL Agricultural Attaché in Washington D.C., the Office of the Municipal Mayor of Mataasnakahoy, Batangas, the National Daily Authority, Dream Agritech Consultancy Services, Philmico Animal Nutrition Corp., the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, Mida Travel Ventures International, Seaweed Industry Association of the PHL, Feedmix Specialist Inc., UP Diliman, Palawan State University, Central Bicol State University, Institute of Aquaculture and College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences of UP Visayas, ADMU Environmental Science Department, SEAFDEC/AQD, Ateneo de Davao University, UP Cebu, and other PHL as well as Chilean attendees.
Ambassador Ma. Teresita C. Daza opened the program by underscoring concerns about global food security and hunger and, more importantly, the crucial role agriculture, aquaculture and modern technologies within these key sectors play in addressing food insecurity and hunger. She emphasized recent surveys indicating that no less than 4.2 million Filipino families have reportedly experienced hunger in the past months. She provided a brief backgrounder on how the virtual talk initially materialized—starting from the keen interest expressed by DA-BFAR which originally brought KRAN’s technology and the opportunities the same presents to the Embassy’s attention. She similarly recalled Santiago PE’s initial research about the company and its study visit to the KRAN headquarters in Puerto Montt, which further cemented the significant potential and usefulness of nanobubble technology in contributing to both the quality and quantity of agricultural and fisheries yield in the PHL. Ambassador Daza expressed the Embassy’s gratitude to DA, BFAR, the Office of the Agricultural Attaché in Washington D.C. PE as well as KRAN for their close partnership with Santiago PE and their key roles in supporting the online talk.
Mr. Manuel Vial, KRAN’s Chief Technical Officer, opened his presentation with a video of KRAN’s President Jaime Dela Cruz acknowledging the Embassy’s efforts in hosting the lecture and expressing his company’s interest to establish links with LGUs and educational institutions to promote the use and application of nanobubble technology in the PHL agriculture, aquaculture and aquaculture industries. Mr. Vial’s presentation thereafter centered on: a) the general properties of ultrafine bubbles; b) KRAN’s mission toward greener solutions, scientific approach, reduced costs and custom-made solutions (this is what sets them apart from other service providers); c) previous projects on seabed restoration and improving aerobic condition of specific sites; d) application of the technology on fish processing/manufacturing plants; e) shrimp cultivation using nanotech; f) vegetable growth, specifically lettuce; g) tomato crop cultivation and disinfection; and, h) large-scale lake restoration.
DA Undersecretary for Agri-Industrialization and Fisheries Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero gave her closing remarks and congratulated Santiago PE and KRAN for organizing the event. She similarly stressed the importance and value of new technology in addressing common agricultural and aquaculture concerns, and, in the bigger picture, in combating climate change and championing sustainability. END
