SEARCA News

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has revealed the winners of the 2022 SEARCA Photo Contest themed “Emerging Agricultural Innovations for the Next Generation.” The top three prizes went to pictures of innovation in planting crops, while images showing various technology used in agricultural activities were selected for the special awards. Six of the seven winners are Filipino and one is Vietnamese. The competition searched for images that depict technologies and innovation that are modernizing and transforming agriculture and rural development towards increased food supply and security. The first prize winner is a… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in partnership with the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED), conducted an in-person Training Course on Research Designs and Methods for Higher Education Institutions in the Philippines (Research4HEIs) from 23 to 27 January 2023 at the SEARCA Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. With 21 participants representing 17 higher education institutions that are members of the State Universities and Colleges – Association of Colleges of Agriculture in the Philippines, Inc. (SUC-ACAP, Inc.), the training course aimed to build the capacity of the participants to develop a framework… Read more

Dr. Glenn Gregorio, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Director, shared SEARCA’s programs and activities in the recently concluded Usapang Bayan, an online radio program aired live at the Broad Stream Cast Communicators (BSC) Facebook Page on 15 January 2023. Hosted by Ms. Hermelina Tenorio, the eleventh episode of Usapang Bayan featured various guests to talk about their perspectives in bringing science and technology (S&T) innovations closer to the public. During the program, Dr. Gregorio introduced SEARCA and its strategic intent. “SEARCA’s role is to serve as an enabler, champion, and center of excellence… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) visited the Dagatan Family Farm School (DFFS), the first family farming school in Asia, on 13 January 2023 to finalize the details of the first joint activity of the two institutions. Mr. Ramon Santos, Jr., and Mr. Jeremy Feria, DFFS School Director and School Administrator respectively, expressed their desire to advance the learning of their students and incorporate agri-robotics in their curricula. Taking on this premise, SEARCA is set to organize a one-day learning activity for DFFS learners and educators on 1 February 2023. The activity aims… Read more

Dr. Jose Camacho, Jr., Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 16 January 2023. Dr. Camacho was joined by Dr. Fernando Paras, Jr., Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development; Dr. Nathaniel Bantayan, Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension; Forester Roberto Cereno, Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs; and Assoc. Prof. Rolando Bello, Vice Chancellor for Administration, and were warmly welcomed by Dr. Glenn Gregorio, SEARCA Director; Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Nur Azura Binti Adam, SEARCA Deputy Director for Programs; Assoc. Prof. Joselito Florendo… Read more

Dr. Glenn Gregorio, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Director and National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) Academician, reinforced the need to build a culture of agri-innovation in action among the Filipino youth in the Sixth Session of the Webinar Series on Nanotechnology titled “Empowering Young Filipino Researchers for an Emerging Technology Ready Philippines,” organized by the Philippine Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) on 20 January 2023. PCIEERD is one of the three sectoral planning councils of DOST mandated… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) celebrated its 56th Anniversary with the theme “Pursuing Excellence through Continuous Learning and Development and Wellness” on 27 November 2022. Various learning and development activities were organized to help staff become better both in their personal and professional growth. Development organizations like SEARCA conduct wellness activities for the employees to drive significant productivity, help them meet deadlines, and build organizational support. To jumpstart the month-long celebration, the Human Resource Management Unit (HRMU) arranged a vaccination program on 11 November 2022 to promote wellness and a healthy living… Read more

The Southeast Asia Regional Center for Graduate Study in Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Catanduanes State University (CatSU) in a virtual ceremony held via Zoom on 11 January 2023. CatSU is a research and higher education institution (HEI) located in Catanduanes, Philippines. Dubbed as the green university of the Philippine eastern pacific seaboard, the university envisions to foster excellence, holistic, and inclusive education attuned to the demands of a diverse world towards the formation of productive and value-laden lives. Under the five-year accord, both parties agree to collaborate in undertaking programs, projects, and… Read more

Pili farmers and entrepreneurs in the Bicol region were organized to revive their livelihood activities hindered by the pandemic and typhoons. With the funding support of SEARCA, the Socio-Economic Development Program Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SEDP MPC) engaged 17 barangays in five municipalities to prepare to launch a pili processing facility in Albay. The SEARCA Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions (GRAINS) funded the project entitled “Technology Adoption for People-Centered Innovation and Livelihood Integration (PILI).” The project was groundwork for a facility that aims to help 500 farmers and 1300 women entrepreneurs generate 20 percent added income from pili processing. Construction… Read more

In a bid to provide farmers better access to supplies for agricultural production, SEARCA supported a project to digitize agri-supply stores through the GoEden online platform. GoEden consolidates products from various agri-supply stores into a one-stop online shop. This helps farmers cut travel time to multiple stores and avoid settling for products that fall short of requirements. The goal is to provide farmers a wide choice of products through an organized e-commerce platform. The SEARCA Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions (GRAINS) funded the digital agriculture project implemented by the startup company, Zion Agricultural Ventures. Entitled “Improving Farmers Access… Read more