The University of San Carlos established a partnership with the Philippines Family Farmers Agriculture-Fishery-Forestry Cooperatives Federation (AgriCOOPh) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on August 7, 2024, at the Eugene and Cenia Acevedo Room, Arnoldus Science Complex, USC Talamban Campus. 

The three-year MOU, signed by USC President Fr. Francisco Antonio T. Estepa, SVD, Ph.D. and AgriCOOPh Chief Operating Officer Mercedes D. Castillo, serves as the physical manifestation of the dedication of both USC and AgriCOOPh in empowering Filipino researchers and farmers by improving agricultural technology and practices in the Philippines through research and collaboration. 

Both parties have agreed upon prioritizing agricultural research to attain sustainability and environmental safety for future Filipino agricultural practices, while serving first and foremost the agriculture-fishery-forestry sector. They also discussed possible joint efforts in providing the subsequent funding for these endeavors. 

Additionally, representatives from the Philippines Carabao Center (PCC) presented their on-going research on the use of various seaweed species in the formulation of Carabao food supplement in order to address the growing scarcity of quality carabao feed. This is the first step the parties have taken in recognizing the memorandum and its goals for the years to come. 

With reporting from the MECO-TECO Laboratory, School of Arts and Sciences