SEARCA in the News

THE Southeast Asian Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in collaboration with the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), conducted an introductory training on agri-robotics at Tarlac Agricultural University's Farmer's Training Center (TAU-FTC). To inspire students and faculty to leverage technology in advancing agriculture, the event brought together Information and Technology (IT), Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE) students, and TAU faculty members. TAU President Silverio Ramon Salunson emphasized the critical role of technology in modernizing agriculture and mentioned his vision for TAU to be known as a smart agriculture university. SEARCA was represented by Darlyn Angeles, SEARCA Emerging… Read more

A RESEARCH project on Agriculture 4.0 without Chemical Synthetic Plant Protection (NOcsPS) is exploring alternative cropping systems that eliminate the use of chemical-based plant protection products while optimizing the use of mineral fertilizers. German Agricultural Scientist Enno Bahrs recently presented this research project at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) in Los Baños, Laguna, under the center's Agriculture and Development Seminar Series. Bahrs, who heads the Department of Agricultural Business Management at the University of Hohenheim in Germany, explained that social acceptance of chemical pesticides in conventional agriculture is "declining due to concerns… Read more

THE Taiwan-Asia Vegetable Initiative (TAsVI) Seed Homecoming Ceremony held in Taipei, Taiwan, on Dec. 3 highlighted the collaborative efforts of national gene banks in Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia, alongside the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute and the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) to protect and effectively manage Southeast Asia's vegetable biodiversity. The TAsVI project has created a robust platform for the latter's rescue, conservation and sustainable use. At the same time, it fosters knowledge sharing and capacity building among Asian stakeholders, including researchers, seed companies and farmers. Representing the Philippines, Nur Azura Binti Adam, deputy director for Programs of the… Read more

LYCEUM of the Philippines University (LPU)-Laguna students were challenged by Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Director Glenn Gregorio to explore agriculture careers in a Sustainability Series webinar held on Nov. 29, 2024. Via Zoom, Gregorio was the speaker during the said webinar titled "Farming: A Poor Man's Job? Motioned to Change the Perspective of Students on Farming," organized by the League of Warriors, a student organization of LPU-Laguna. The webinar highlighted the role of agriculture in society and showcased the field as a dynamic and rewarding career option to inspire the students to… Read more

EPISODES of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) talk show "Sowing Seeds: Cultivating Youth's Future in Agriculture" were featured at the 2024 Science Film Festival, organized by Goethe Institut and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) College of Development Communication (CDC), on Dec. 11 and 12, 2024. According to SEARCA director Glenn Gregorio, "Sowing Seeds" is a career orientation initiative aimed at encouraging Southeast Asian youth to engage in agriculture. Gregorio said this was implemented through SEARCA's Partnerships Unit (PU) as part of the center's Young Forces for Agricultural Innovation (#Y4AGRI)… Read more

THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) recently organized a Lakbay Aral, or exposure and learning trip, for Quezon coconut farmers to lambanog processing sites in Tayabas City. Some 20 farmers from the municipalities of Catanauan, Lopez, Candelaria and Sariaya participated in the activity "to improve the farmers' skills and knowledge in value-addition, specifically in lambanog production," according to SEARCA. The initiative is under the project titled "Development of Coconut Industry Growth Areas in the Province of Quezon." The farmers learned about the different stages of lambanog production, such as fermentation, distillation and packaging… Read more

THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has announced the opening of a photo contest that focuses on innovations and solutions to the challenges faced by a Southeast Asian farmer. SEARCA Director Glenn Gregorio said the 8th Annual Photo Contest, anchored on the theme "The Future of Farming: Pathways to Carbon-Neutral Agriculture," aims to find the best images most relevant to the theme besides its technical quality and impact. "SEARCA is looking for creative images that depict the innovations and solutions to the many issues and problems being faced by a Southeast Asian farmer… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has opened its 18th annual photo contest and invites photographers across Southeast Asia to capture compelling images related to the theme "The Future of Farming: Pathways to Carbon-Neutral Agriculture." This year's photo tilt edition of the competition seeks photographs that showcase innovative and sustainable agricultural practices in the Southeast Asia. "SEARCA is looking for impactful images that demonstrate practical solutions to the challenges faced by farmers in Southeast Asia while promoting environmental responsibility and sustainable farming methods," said SEARCA Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio. The contest is open… Read more

THE Philippine government-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) is assessing gardens and the utilization of their produce in selected schools in Palawan. Titled "Assessment and Utilization of School Garden Produce through a Cooking Contest/Recipe Development and Monitoring and Evaluation Activities of School Gardens," this SEARCA initiative is part of the School-plus-Home Gardens cum Biodiversity Enhancement and Enterprise or SHGBEE in Coron and Busuanga, Palawan. According to SEARCA, the initiative, designed to improve the nutritional status of children, integrates fresh produce from school gardens into the school-based feeding program of the Department of Education… Read more

NINE distinguished biotechnology experts, including a former Science and Technology secretary, were honored during the ninth Filipino Faces of Biotechnology Awards on December 5 at the Philippine International Convention Center. The honorees—former Department of Science and Technology (DOST) secretary and Academician Dr. Estrella Alabastro, biologist/entrepreneur Ma. Antonia Odelia Arroyo, Dr. Edward Barlaan, entomologist Dr. Emiliana Bernardo, Dr. Antonio Laurena, Academician Dr. Eufemio Rasco Jr., Dr. Edison Riñen, Prof. Edgardo Tulin and researcher Lilian Villamor—are celebrated for their outstanding contributions to the different aspects of biotechnology in the Philippines. In his message, Department of Agriculture Biotech Program Director Paul C. Limson… Read more