SEARCA News

In celebration of the International Youth Day with the theme, “Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages”, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) unveiled the SEARCA Hub for Agriculture and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation (SHARING) on 12 August 2022 via blended mode. The learning facility is annexed to the SEARCA headquarters located on the campus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), the Center’s host institution since its inception in 1966. The grand launch was graced by His Excellency José Gaspar dos Reis Correia Piedade, Ambassador of Timor… Read more

SEARCA commended the 24 Full MS and PhD SEARCA scholars and 10 PhD Research scholars, who completed their graduate studies in Fiscal Year 2021-2022 through a Testimonial Ceremony held last 4 August 2022 on blended mode. Twelve scholars together with their families attended the event at the SEARCA Headquarters and the rest of the graduates joined via Zoom platform. Out of the 24 full scholars, 8 were supported by SEARCA’s collaboration with the German Academic Exchange Service or DAAD; Nagoya University, Japan; and the Philippine Carabao Center. In her welcome message, Dr. Maria Cristeta N. Cuaresma, Senior Program Head for Education and… Read more

SEARCA, through the Education and Collective Learning Department (ECLD), organized the 2022 Basic English Course for Scholars via Zoom from July 5-13, 2022 and face-to-face lessons at the SEARCA Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna from July 21 – August 2, 2022. The course aims to enhance the scholars’ English proficiency and encourage them to be more comfortable in using the language in preparation for their studies. Offered annually by SEARCA, the course also contributes to building the capacity of individual scholars and their home institutions as part of Accelerating Transformation through Agricultural Innovation (ATTAIN).   Sixteen participants across nine different… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), through the Emerging Innovation for Growth Department (EIGD), collaborated with FELTA Multi-Media Inc., National University - Laguna, Department of Trade and Industry - Laguna, and Infor, held the 1st Laguna Robot LEGOlympics 2022 at SEARCA on 15 July 2022. This is the first on-site LEGOlympics held with participants from different schools in Laguna, Metro Manila, and Olongapo. The competition, with the theme "Farmers' Friend", brought together 70 students and coaches to challenge the intellectual skills and critical thinking of elementary and high school students in the field of… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), conducted interviews among coconut stakeholders and associations in the Quezon Coconut Research & Extension Center (CocoQuest) in Catanauan, Quezon, last 20-24 July 2022. At least 10 respondents from each six different coconut-based associations namely, San Antonio Pala Virgin Coconut Association (SAP-VCOA), San Antonio Pala Lambanog Producers Association (SAP-LPA), San Antonio Pala Coconut Sugar Producer Association (SAP-CSPA), and San Antonio Pala Buko Juice Producer Association (SAP-BJPA) were interviewed. Ms. Blanquita R. Pantoja, Technical Coordinator and University Researcher… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) have renewed their partnership to collaborate on a number of activities including joint research, capacity building activities, and knowledge and information exchange that shall benefit both learners and educators in the Philippines. The two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for institutional cooperation during the Strategic Planning Workshop of the DepEd-Bureau of Learner Support Services (BLSS) held on 29 June 2022 in Tanza, Cavite, Philippines. “We acknowledge the important role of DepEd in the country in promoting agriculture among… Read more

Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) met with its key partners in Oriental Mindoro last 13 -14 July 2022 to discuss collaborative activities in support of the province’s calamansi industry. The SEARCA team was composed of Dr. Pedcris M. Orencio, Program Head; Ms. Bernice Anne D. De Torres and Ms. Anna Gale C. Vallez, Program Specialists; and Ms. Pauline D. Gonzales, Program Associate, all of the Research and Thought Leadership Department (RTLD). They were joined by Engr. Luther John Manuel, Software Developer and Assistant Professor from the University of the… Read more

Seed plays a key role in agriculture, specifically in improving crop production and food security. It can also help in supporting farmers’ livelihood through increased yield and income. However, with the rapid onset of climate change and slow economic development, the food supply of the country is being compromised. Efficient and innovative agricultural solutions is therefore essential for the seed sector to ensure food security. The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) are currently working on a collaborative project to formulate the Seed Industry Development Program (SIDP)… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in partnership with SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV), was commissioned by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to formulate the National Agriculture and Fishery Modernization and Industrialization Plan (NAFMIP) 2021-2030, the 10-year directional plan of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippines. The NAFMIP is anchored on the New Thinking for Agriculture, including its eight paradigms and highlights thrusts to modernize and industrialize the agriculture and fisheries sector It aims to increase the productivity (Masaganang Ani) and double the livable income (Mataas na Kita) of farmers and fisherfolks… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) participated in the first virtual SEAMEO Knowledge Management (KM) Learning and Sharing Forum conducted by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) on 7 July 2022. The forum solicited suggestions for the SEAMEO-wide KM strategic framework that will enable the harmonious and logical flow of information and knowledge co-creation among SEAMEO centers in the Southeast Asian region. “In 2012, the first training workshop on KM was organized by SEARCA to firm up notions of knowledge partnerships and enable SEAMEO units to draw up a joint KM… Read more