SEARCA News

True to its commitment of leading the development of agriculture professionals through scholarships and graduate study programs, an agreement intended to collaborate on areas of education, research and development, the Southeast Asia Regional Center for Graduate Study in Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT) in a virtual ceremony held via Zoom on 2 February 2021. Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, SEARCA Director, and Dr. Renee A. Lamella, DEBESMSCAT President, signed the MOU with Mr. Joselito G. Florendo, SEARCA Deputy Director for Administration, and… Read more

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), in partnership with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), organized the 3rd Regional Project Steering Committee (RPSC) Meeting of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-funded project Agricultural Transformation and Market Integration in the ASEAN Region: Responding to Food Security and Inclusiveness Concerns, or ATMI-ASEAN, on 27-28 January 2021 via Zoom. The ATMI-ASEAN Project is being implemented by IFPRI as lead, and SEARCA as partner. The project is already on its fifth year and is anticipating an extension year to complete the project deliverables that were stalled… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna, Philippines – The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) conducted its 22nd SEARCA Online Learning and Virtual Engagement (SOLVE) webinar titled SOLVE Food Insecurity through Efficient and Innovative Seed Systems on 27 January 2021 via Zoom and Facebook Live. The webinar presented an opportunity for seed practitioners and aspiring seed growers to gain insights on the ins and outs of the seed industry in the region, and the importance of having a sustainable seed system to tackle food insecurity. Webinar speakers included Dr. Siang Hee Tan, Executive Director of CropLife Asia; Dr. Mary Ann… Read more

The integration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education that banks on the identity and culture of Southeast Asia summarizes the discussion of Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, Director of the Southeast Asia Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), at the 2nd Integrated STEM Leadership Summit in Asia held online on 21-22 January 2021. The Summit on “Reimagining Integrated STEM Education: Amplifying Agility and Transformational Collaboration for a Post-Pandemic Asia” was jointly organized by the Secretariat of Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), and SEAMEO Regional Center for STEM Education (STEM-ED) with the STEM Leadership… Read more

A forum jointly organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV) will offer perspectives on financial systems in the Philippines and financial technology (FinTech) applications in agriculture from major financial and national government institutions. The “Forum on Unlocking the Potential of Financial Technology and Innovations in Advancing Agricultural Development in the Philippines,” to be held online on 29 January 2021, will gather representatives from financial institutions, government agencies, agricultural industry players, farmers’ associations and cooperatives, nongovernmental organizations, academe, and think tanks. “FinTech aligns with SEARCA’s core… Read more

The possibility to cooperate on a faculty development program for Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) was broached during the visit of CBSUA and University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) officials to the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 26 January 2021. Located in Camarines Sur, Philippines, CBSUA is mandated to “provide the necessary instructional and research leadership in agricultural, environmental and technological development in the Bicol Region.” The CBSUA delegation was composed of Dr. Alberto N. Naperi, President; Dr. Ana E. Miraña, Vice President for Academic Affairs; and Ms. Eloisa… Read more

Dr. Glenn B. GregorioDirector and CEOSoutheast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)  It is important to take note that among the major economic sectors of the country, it is only the agriculture sector that has managed to achieve a positive growth since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The overall growth performance of the agriculture sector in the Q4 of 2020 has been greatly affected by back-to-back typhoons. We projected that the growth rates of value of production in agriculture for the Q4 of 2020 (at constant 2018 prices) have posted a positive growth rate… Read more

The faces of Southeast Asian farmers who should arguably be counted among our heroes during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are given the spotlight in the recently concluded annual photo contest hosted by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). This year’s theme, “Faces of ATTAIN,” was part of launching and promoting the Center’s 11th Five-Year Plan spanning 2020-2025 and focused on Accelerating Transformation Through Agricultural Innovation (ATTAIN), which includes “Food and Nutrition Security” as one of its seven priority areas.  This year’s winners are three photographers from Myanmar, two from the Philippines, and one… Read more

The Education and Collective Learning Department (ECLD) conducted its Special Graduate Seminar on 15 January 2021 under the SEARCA Online Learning and Virtual Engagement (SOLVE) platform. The graduate seminar is held once every semester and highlights outstanding research by SEARCA scholars from their graduate thesis. Hosting the seminar is the Center’s way to support the scholars’ academic milestones and to recognize their capacity to produce quality research that has great impact in agriculture and rural development. Mr. Bayu Rizky Pratama shared his Master’s thesis titled “Analysis of the Factors Determining Farmers Adoption and Strategies for the Development of Single Origin… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Provincial Government (PG) of Quezon signed virtually on 18 January 2021 a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the Letter of Agreement (LOA) to develop a project on the coconut industry growth areas in the province of Quezon. Sharing a common goal of contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of farmers and farming families through agricultural innovations, both parties agreed to scale SEARCA’s agricultural and rural development (ARD) model in the province employing action research strategies. Identified collaborations will mainly focus on product… Read more