SEARCA News

SEARCA released a new monograph that tackles issues involved in the implementation of weather index-based insurance (WIBI) for agricultural production highlighting experiences from the Philippines. Risks of rainfall deficits in rice production for different planting dates for typical rice varieties grown are estimated in four selected provinces in the Philippines… Read more

STUTTGART, Germany – Around 300 scientists and experts from around the world converged to focus on the causes, consequences, and counter-strategies of the global problem on micronutrient deficiencies during early development, also known as “Hidden Hunger.” Organized by the University of Hohenheim (UHOH), the 2nd Hidden Hunger International Congress was held in Stuttgart, Germany on 3-6 March 2015… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Council of the Deans of Agricultural Science, Thailand (CDAT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for institutional cooperation on 13 March 2015… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) is about to conclude the scoping mission for the Piloting and Upscaling Effective Models of Inclusive and Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development (ISARD) project. The mission was so far conducted in the Philippine provinces of Davao Oriental, Leyte, Aklan, Occidental Mindoro, and Camarines Norte and is part of the project’s Phase 1 activities that involve scoping for a potential project site and social marketing of the ISARD model… Read more

The search continues for candidates for the Dioscoro L. Umali Achievement Award in Agricultural Development (Umali Award). This honorific award recognizes exemplary Southeast Asian (SEA) nationals whose work in the region has provided exceptionally significant positive impact on the development of agriculture and the improvement of the quality of life in rural communities in the region… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines – A Post ARD2014 Conference Validation and Planning Workshop was undertaken by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 6 March 2015 at SEARCA, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines… Read more

DILI, Timor Leste – The first set of SEARCA Alumni Association of Timor-Leste (SAAT) officers were installed in office on 15 January 2015 at the Early Sun Restaurant in Dili, Timor Leste.  Eighteen SEARCA alumni, headed by their President, Mr. Agustinho da Costa Ximenes, were present during the event. Dr. Maria Cristeta N. Cuaresma, SEARCA’s Program Head for Graduate Education and Institutional Development (GEID) administered the Oath of Office for the SAAT officers. Also present to witness the event were Dr. Acacio Cardoso Amaral, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Timor Lorosaé (UNTL) and Country Representative of Timor-Leste to… Read more

QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Results of the SEARCA-PhilRice project titled Improving the Agricultural Insurance Program to Enhance Resilience to Climate Change: Evidence from Rice and Corn Production in the Philippines were presented by the project team to the Board of Directors (BOD) of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) on 25 February 2015. Dr. Jose M. Yorobe of the UPLB College of Economics and Management together with Dr. Bessie M. Burgos and Ms. Pilipinas M. Luis of SEARCA reported on the corn component. Ms. Imelda A. Arida of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) reported on the rice component… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines – As part of SEARCA’s Community Involvement Program (CIP), the Center donated science, mathematics, and language textbooks and reference materials to 10 public elementary schools and four high schools in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines on 27 February 2015. The activity aimed to improve the library collection of public schools in Los Baños and provide a better learning experience for the students… Read more

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – The Southeast Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) drew compliments from Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Cambodia’s Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, particularly in the Center’s efforts to build the capacities of the country’s manpower in agriculture through graduate scholarship… Read more