The Research, Innovation, and Development Festival (RIDe Fest) 2025 of Central Luzon State University (CLSU) highlights the Banana and Cacao Diseases Management Project (BaCaDM Project) in its Plenary Session: International Spotlight.

The session features Prof. Dr. Kyoko Watanabe, Project Chief Investigator, and Dr. Shunsuke Nozawa, Project 2 Leader of the Japan Team from Tamagawa University (TU), Japan.

The BaCaDM Project is a collaborative research initiative between CLSU and Tamagawa University, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), TU and CLSU.

It aims to develop and promote a technology system to help farmers combat major diseases that threaten the global supply of bananas and cacao. Also joining the discussion are Dr. Parsons N. Hail, Project Manager at CLSU, Dr. Elaida R. Fiegalan, Project 2 Leader, and Ms. Celynne Ocampo-Padilla, Doctor of Philosophy student at Tamagawa University.

The event is graced by Dr. Ravelina R. Velasco, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Emmanuel M. Vera Cruz, Vice President for Research and Extension. Faculty, staff, and students from the College of Agriculture, College of Arts and Social Sciences, and College of Fisheries, along with international students from Uganda, are also in attendance.