(First row, L-R) Dr. Maria Cristeta N. Cuaresma, Senior Program Head of the Education and Collective Learning Department (ECLD), SEARCA; Dr. Nur Azura binti Adam, Deputy Director for Programs, SEARCA; aProf. Reymond Denver Buenaseda, DAAE-CEM, UPLB; Mr. Arjay A. Gerance, Senior Economic Development Specialist at NEDA – MIMAROPA; and Mr. Geny F. Lapiña, Chair, DAAE-CEM, UPLB
SEARCA hosted its Special Graduate Seminar on Postharvest Management for a Sustainable Agrifood Supply Chain on 20 February 2025 at the Drilon Hall and online via the SOLVE Platform. Organized in partnership with the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics - College of Economics and Management, University of the Philippines Los Baños (DAAE-CEM UPLB), the event presented the highlights of the research publications of two SEARCA alumni.
Mr. Reymond Denver Buenaseda and Mr. Arjay A. Gerance, both 2024 graduates and recipients of the DAAD-SEARCA Scholarship for MS in Applied Economics for Agriculture and Environment Program at Kasetsart University, Thailand, discussed their research published in the ISSAAS Journal and SEARCA's Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development, respectively. Their studies explored innovative postharvest management strategies for onion and pineapple production.
Mr. Buenaseda, an assistant professor at DAAE-CEM, UPLB, presented his research on cold storage adoption among onion farmers in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. His study highlighted the important role of cold storage in reducing postharvest losses and increasing farmers' profits. He found that cooperative membership and participation in trading enhance farmers' ability to store their harvests, while policy initiatives supporting farmer-operated cold storage facilities offer additional opportunities for smallholders. To further promote storage adoption, he recommended exploring a one-time subsidy for cold storage fees to encourage long-term participation.
Meanwhile, Mr. Gerance, a Senior Economic Development Specialist at the National Economic and Development Authority – MIMAROPA, focused on postharvest management and losses in the Queen pineapple value chain. He emphasized the challenges faced by small-scale farmers, particularly limited access to resources and inefficient handling practices, which contribute to higher losses. His research highlighted clustering programs, improved harvesting techniques, and optimized transport conditions as key interventions to minimize losses. Additionally, he recommended government-led initiatives to standardize handling practices, enforce quality standards, and invest in low-cost cold storage and packinghouses to strengthen the supply chain.
Through its Special Graduate Seminar, SEARCA continues to provide a platform for scholars to present their research, reinforcing its commitment to advancing impactful research and advancing agricultural and rural development in Southeast Asia.