SEARCA News

As COVID-19 poses a great challenge to the Philippine economy and in the Southeast Asian region, the essence of reshaping agricultural research and development was shared by Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), at the CEM Webinar Series held on 13 August 2020 via Zoom. The webinar series was part of the founding anniversary celebration of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)-College of Economics and Management (UPLB-CEM) with the theme "CEM 2020: Building Economic Resilience in the Time of COVID-19." As part of the celebration… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) conducted its 15th SEARCA Online Learning and Virtual Engagement (SOLVE) webinar on "Youth Disengagement in Agriculture: Southeast Asian Youth Champions in Action" on 19 August 2020 via Zoom and Facebook. This online platform is the final installment of the SOLVE webinar series on youth in agricultural and rural development (ARD) in August 2020. The first installment highlighted the challenges and opportunities for the young, while the second installment tackled agricultural underpinnings on youth empowerment. As a culmination of this month's theme, the third online discussion invited youth… Read more

Undernourishment and malnutrition have been a long prevailing problem in the Philippines affecting millions of its population. Several technologies were developed to help address these problems. Malunggay (Moringa oleifera)—one of the featured commodities in a Technology and Investment Profiles monograph series published by Southeast Asian Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)—showcased high potential in combating malnutrition and hunger. Its use and consumption has been promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a low-cost health enhancer in poor countries around the globe. To address the inadequacy of quality food intake among children, especially in areas suffering from… Read more

Seaweed, known for its many uses, is a versatile commodity that has applications which extend from food to industrial uses. It is a good emulsifier with good water holding capacity, and excellent binding properties. With these qualities, the opportunities for value-adding food technology for seaweed are enormous. The Bicol Region in the Philippines, specifically the province of Sorsogon, is known as one of the country's major producers of seaweeds. In fact, the commodity has been a promising source of income to many in the fisheries sector. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources- Regional Fisheries Research and Development Center (BFAR-RFRDC)… Read more

A good source of nutrition is crucial in the early stages of a child's life. Having access to nutritious food is essential to their development and there is a variety of baby food in the market. Although in the case of Zamboanga, its manufacturing has suffered losses due to high costs surrounding handling and shipping. This has opened an opportunity for producing baby food products using locally available raw materials in the region. This opportunity prompted the development of soy baby food under the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) funded project "Commercialization and Promotion of Organic Soybeans in… Read more

SEARCA together with the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Application (ISAAA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) is working together to address key aspects of biosafety regulation on animal biotechnology. "It is important for us to talk about animal biotechnology and how we can enjoy its potential benefits while ensuring that these products are reliable, and safe for both people and the planet. This begins with developing a science-based, credible, transparent, and effective regulatory framework," says Dr. Rhodora R. Aldemita, ISAAA SEAsiaCenter Director. According to SEARCA Director… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines – The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), through its Emerging Innovation for Growth Department (EIGD), conducted a virtual presentation on 20 August 2020 via Zoom platform to discuss its major recommendations on how the Community-based Participatory Action Research (CPAR) Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) could be strengthened. The event participants were the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) Executive Committee members as well as staff from the Program Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PMED), Program Development Division (PDD) and Applied Communication Department (ACD). The Community-based Participatory Action Research Program (CPAR)… Read more

The emerging challenges in the agricultural and health sectors in the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and how One Health/EcoHealth approach as a concept could be better wielded in managing the related risks will be discussed at the "National Forum on One Health Innovations to Mitigate Impacts of COVID-19" hosted by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) through the SEARCA Online Learning and Virtual Engagement (SOLVE) platform on 26 August 2020. The forum is jointly organized by SEARCA; the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization- Regional Centre for Public Health… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna – SEARCA welcomed a new batch of alumni for AY 2019-2020 with 23 scholars earning a Master's degree and 28 earning a PhD degree. This year's celebration is different from the past with the pandemic halting most of the activities such as the physical graduation ceremonies. SEARCA's annual Testimonial Program held last 02 July 2020 was also slimmed down to accommodate social distancing measures. Of the total number of graduates, 31 were under the SEARCA Full MS/PhD Program while 10 are from the Joint Scholarship programs, namely, DAAD-SEARCA, PCC-SEARCA, NU-SEARCA, UPM-SEARCA. Another 10 graduates came from the… Read more

"The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the connections between supply chains and our consumption patterns, and the urgent need to redefine agricultural systems as food systems. A systemic view of agricultural food systems is imperative for the needed transformation, which should stem right from the hallowed halls of the universities and colleges." This is the analysis of Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, Director, and Dr. Rico C. Ancog, Operations Consultant for Emerging Innovation for Growth, both of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in a SEARCA policy brief titled "Reshaping Agricultural Research and Development in… Read more