THE Philippine government-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has picked four projects for the 2024–2025 Grants for Research toward Agricultural Innovative Solutions (GRAINS).
SEARCA Center Director Glenn Gregorio said the grants, ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 each, will support projects to transform food production in the Philippines, Laos, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
Gregorio said the GRAINS project proponents plan to introduce new processes and technologies in farming communities.
He added that in the Philippines, Emma Sabado, an entomologist and research consultant at Mindanao State University, will craft and market new protein-rich food products out of super worms.
In Laos, Viengvilaiphone Botthoulath, a microbiology expert, will teach farmers how to extract probiotic microorganisms from agricultural waste to provide affordable nutrients for their hydroponic farms.
In Timor-Leste, Agustinho da Costa Ximenes, an agronomist and manager of Ze Ximenes Farm, will engage youth in fruit tree grafting and creating livestock feed through waste conversion by the black soldier fly.
Gregorio said Ximenes aims to provide young farmers opportunities for organic waste recycling business and sustainable agriculture.
Lastly, in Vietnam, Yin Yin Phyu, co-founder of Greenovator, will enhance farmer livelihoods in Cao Bang province with the Mekong Farm App for better income, agro-ecological practices and market linkages.
Lawyer Eric Reynoso, SEARCA program head of Emerging Innovation for Growth Department, said seeking alternative sources of food, nutrition and livelihood is an ongoing challenge in Southeast Asia.
"SEARCA GRAINS provides opportunities for researchers, startups and entrepreneurs to bring solutions to real-world challenges in agriculture," Reynoso said.