SEARCA News

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) recently spearheaded two significant knowledge-sharing events to introduce and promote open system machinery to Cambodia and the Philippine farming communities. These events, held in collaboration with the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) in Cambodia and Central Philippines State University (CPSU) in the Philippines, represent a crucial step toward modernizing agricultural practices in these regions. Cambodia: Advancing vegetable transplanting technology In May 2024, a knowledge-sharing event was held in Takeo Province, Cambodia, in partnership with the RUA. The event highlighted the introduction of a no-till vegetable transplanter powered… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), through its Partnerships Unit (PU), conducted Farmers' Day, a consultation and knowledge sharing for farmers and farmer communities in the Philippines, on 27 June 2024. The event showcased presentations from Philippine local government units involved in SEARCA-supported projects. Ms. Christine Pine, Provincial Agriculturist of Oriental Mindoro, highlighted the accomplishments of the Upgrading the Calamansi Value Chain towards Improving the Calamansi Industry of Oriental Mindoro project. Ms. Rhona Ornedo, staff from the Coconut Division of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Quezon Province, discussed the challenges and… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), successfully concluded the two-day Regional Stakeholders Consultation Workshop for the Consortium for Agricultural Development, Research, and Extension in Southeast Asia (CADRE). Held on 20–21 June 2024 at the SEARCA headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, and livestreamed through Zoom, the event gathered over a hundred stakeholders from Southeast Asia (SEA) to discuss establishing CADRE. It is a network of high-caliber, like-minded institutions with a unified goal of driving agricultural transformation toward sustainable and inclusive development in SEA. The… Read more

CALAMBA, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) signed a tripartite agreement with the Rotary Club of Calamba and Bahay ni Maria, a home for abandoned elderly and children with special needs in Calamba, Laguna, on 26 June 2024 to design and establish an edible garden. The agreement was signed by Dr. Glenn Gregorio, SEARCA Center Director; Engr. Federic Inion, Rotary Club of Calamba President Elect; and Sr. Ma. Immaculate Ancog, Missionary Sisters of Our Lady Fatima Center Head for Bahay ni Maria. The garden will be a sustainable source of fresh produce to… Read more

BAYOMBONG, Philippines—Dr. Glenn Gregorio, Center Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), served as the commencement speaker at the 20th Commencement Exercises of Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) held on 27 June 2024 at the Carlos M. Padilla Convention Center in Bayombong, the provincial capital of Nueva Vizcaya. Speaking before graduates, faculty, and guests, Dr. Gregorio emphasized the vital role that every graduate can play in addressing agricultural challenges and contributing to agricultural development, regardless of their field of study or chosen profession. In his speech, Dr. Gregorio congratulated the graduates and… Read more

New research articles published in the June 2024 issue of the Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD) take a peek at initiatives and the grassroots in Southeast Asia as they respond to previous food and economic shocks and their aftermath. The common themes of the seven papers in the AJAD volume 21.1 release hover around ensuring food security, future-proofing farming, creating resilient food value chains, good agricultural practices adoption, agrifood digitalization, withstanding food disruptions, building food-resilient households and communities, and sustainability of rural development. The paper "Drivers of Successful Adoption of Eco-innovation: Case Studies of Agricultural Cooperatives in Vietnam"… Read more

Rome, Italy – Engr. Czaneil Gomez, a Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research (SEARCA) researcher, received the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 2024 Youth Award for her invaluable contribution to sustainable and renewable energy through her research, "Harnessing Rice Straw to Empower Rice Farming Communities in the Philippines." Engr. Gomez received the award during the United Nations' Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) 11th Bioenergy Week held in Rome on 17 June 2024. Maria Michela Morese, FAO senior natural resources officer and energy team leader, presented the award to Gomez, who bested seven other finalists. Engr. Gomez is working… Read more

His Excellency Tull Traisorat, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Republic of the Philippines, visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 31 May 2024 to discuss collaboration on celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Philippine-Thailand diplomatic relations. He was accompanied by Mr. Rangsant Srimangkorn, minister and deputy chief of mission, and Mr. Witsarut Piyavongsomboon, first secretary. Ambassador Traisorat lauded SEARCA's significant contribution to agriculture development and food security in the Southeast Asian region, specifically in Thailand. He also expressed gratitude to the Center for its continuous support of the Thai… Read more

Dr. Evangelyn Alocilja, a professor from the Michigan State University (MSU) Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering and senior fellow of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), visited the Center on 28 May to discuss opportunities for collaboration on research, innovation, capacity building, and publication projects. During the visit, she was oriented on SEARCA's mandate, core programs, and offerings. Dr. Gerlie Tatlonghari, program head of the Research and Thought Leadership Department, shared the Center's plan to establish the Consortium for Agricultural Development, Research, and Extension (CADRE), a regional network of high-caliber, like-minded institutions… Read more

Rizal, Philippines - The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) conducted a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activity for the School Edible Landscaping for Entrepreneurship (SEL4E) Project in Rizal province on 21–24 May 2024. Eleven schools were visited by a SEARCA delegation composed of staff from the Education and Collective Learning Department-Training for Development Unit (ECLD-T4DU) and the Research and Thought Leadership Department (RTLD). Educators and officers from the participating schools have been part of two training activities in August 2023 and January 2024 about food security, sustainable agriculture, school gardening, and partnership-building, among others… Read more