SEARCA News

The Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC) celebrated a milestone during its 37th Executive Board Meeting on 23–24 September 2024. Hosted by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in Laguna, Philippines, the meeting was especially significant as the UC marked its 35th anniversary, commemorating three and a half decades of collaborative leadership in advancing agricultural and natural resources education across Southeast Asia and beyond. Representatives from regular member institutions attended the meeting, including Kasetsart University (KU) and Maejo University (MJU) from Thailand; Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), IPB University (IPB), and Universitas… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines— Dr. Glenn Gregorio, Center Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), participated as a speaker in the panel discussion on "Rice Trade Liberalization and Improving the Competitiveness of the Philippine Rice Sector" held on 11 September 2024 at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). The event was part of the three-day Training Workshop on Self-sufficiency, Food Security, and Agricultural Transformation implemented by IRRI Education. Dr. Gregorio provided an in-depth analysis of the Rice Tariffication Law and its impacts on the Philippine rice industry. He explained how the law replaced… Read more

QUEZON PROVINCE—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in partnership with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Quezon, recently concluded a series of trainings for coconut farmers in Quezon Province held on 18-20 September 2024. These trainings under the project Development of Coconut Industry Growth Areas in the Province of Quezon are designed to equip individual farmers and farmer associations or cooperatives on high-value crops and livestock integration, as well as marketing strategies for coconut products. The trainings also included hands-on demonstration on coconut sap-based products processing, including sugar, lambanog (coconut wine or… Read more

Dr. Glenn Gregorio, Center Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), served as mentor of youth speakers participating in the upcoming 1st Southeast Asian Youth Forum on Food and Nutrition organized by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Food and Nutrition (SEAMEO RECFON). The mentoring session via Zoom on 10 September 2024 aimed at equipping the youth speakers with knowledge and skills on promoting sustainable eating habits and effective communication. In line with the forum's theme, "Healthy Plates, Healthy Futures: Youth Leading the Way in Sustainable Eating," Dr… Read more

BANGKOK, Thailand—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) participated in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Asia's Youth Leaders Forum, a new initiative introduced during their 8th Regional Conservation Forum (RCF 2024). The three-day event, held on 3–5 September at Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Bangkok, Thailand, gathered conservation leaders and youth advocates across Asia to discuss the Union's 20-year Youth Strategy, which highlights the importance of mainstreaming the engagement of young people in the IUCN programme. On the first day of RCF 2024, the Youth Leaders Forum included a panel… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), through the Emerging Innovation for Growth Department (EIGD), organized the AgriVision 2029: International Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture Higher Education Program in the Philippines at Drilon Hall, SEARCA Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna on 20 August 2024. The significant event is a pivotal component of the ongoing project, "Formulation of the Five-Year Roadmap for Agricultural Higher Education in the Philippines," initiated and supported by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and undertaken by SEARCA in collaboration with Visayas State University (VSU). The dialogue brought together 17 government… Read more

Her Excellency Dr. Catherine McIntosh, New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines, visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 12 September 2024. She was accompanied by Mr. David Pennycook, Second Secretary; Ms. Dyan Rodriguez, International Development Cooperation Manager; Mr. Jao Yabut, Policy Adviser; and Ms. Moira Uycoco, Executive Assistant to the Ambassador, all of the New Zealand Embassy Manila. The meeting focused on revisiting potential joint initiatives with the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC) on climate-smart agriculture previously discussed during SEARCA's engagement with the New Zealand Embassy Manila in Los… Read more

BANGKOK, Thailand—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) made a strong case for sustainable agri-food systems at the 8th International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Asia Regional Conservation Forum (RCF 2024) held in this city on 3–5 September 2024. According to IUCN, the event brought together about 600 conservation leaders to assess progress and set strategic directions to effectively address environmental and biodiversity challenges over the next 20 years. Themed "Reimagining Conservation in Asia: A Nature Positive Future," RCF 2024 laid the groundwork for the upcoming IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi… Read more

Committed to fostering stakeholder collaboration and promoting advancements in the agriculture sector, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) partnered with the Philippine Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (PPSA) for the e-Kapehan Session on Research and Innovations in the Coconut and Corn Industries via Zoom on 29 August 2024. The event brought together researchers, innovators, and industry players to share knowledge, discuss current research findings, and explore innovative solutions to the challenges faced by two of the Philippines' most important crops—coconut and corn. In her opening message, Dr. Gerlie Tatlonghari, Program Head of SEARCA's Research… Read more

BANGKOK, Thailand—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has brought the "Sowing Seeds: Cultivating Youth's Future in Agriculture" program to Thailand. Led by SEARCA's Young Forces for Agricultural Innovation (#Y4AGRI), the program introduces young people to the diverse and exciting career opportunities available in the agriculture sector. The inaugural offering of Sowing Seeds was held at Patumwan Demonstration School (PDS) in Bangkok with the participation of 20 high school students. Ms. Sirichan Daomanee, Manager of the PDS English Program for Talented Students (EPTS), and Dr. Buncha Chinnasri of Kasetsart University Faculty of Agriculture helped… Read more