THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) gathered more than 100 experts and partners from the agri-food sector who shared experiences and insights in promoting digital technologies, carbon farming in agriculture and climate-smart innovations in the sector.
SEARCA Director Glenn Gregorio said the gathering in a Roundtable Discussion Series on Sustainable Food and Agriculture Systems in Southeast Asia at the Philippine International Convention Center from April 18-19, 2023 brought together industry leaders, experts and stakeholders from across Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States.
With BSP Monetary Board Member Bruce Tolentino, Gregorio noted during the opening of the two-day roundtable discussions (RTDs) that enabling farmers to participate in digital economies and in organizing and accrediting carbon farming initiatives requires interdisciplinary and collaborative actions.
He said the partnership between SEARCA and the BSP is "to bring together diverse perspectives and stakeholders to engage in open and constructive dialogue on advancing agricultural productivity and sustainability while encouraging regional cooperation in new initiatives that will connect farmers to digital economies and carbon markets."
Tolentino said the BSP has launched its Sustainable Finance Roadmap and that "we are pleased to partner with SEARCA in a shared endeavor toward sustainable development."
Emphasizing the role of telecommunications in financial inclusion, Tolentino said the opening up of the telecommunications sector will enable a new era of financial inclusion.
"This will also benefit many communities that are often excluded, including small farmers and fisherfolk in the isolated areas of the archipelagic Philippines," he said.
Also joining the event that was streamed via Zoom and the official Facebook pages of SEARCA and the BSP were representatives from the embassies of Canada, France, Israel, the United Kingdom and the US, all participating and expressing their support for the initiative.
The Embassy of Israel in the Philippines through Deputy Chief of Mission Nir Balzam shared that some of Israel's agricultural technologies are being explored and used in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.
He also mentioned capacity-building programs and small grants on agriculture offered by his country emphasizing that through collaboration, "we can create sustainable solutions for the challenges facing the food and agriculture sector today."
Renewing their commitment to support efforts that accelerate the digital transformation of the food and agriculture system in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, Balzam said they will continue to collaborate and support SEARCA's initiatives.
Gregorio said the RTDs included the unveiling of the Carbon Farming Consortium that is expected to foster regional cooperation and commitment to promote carbon farming in agriculture in Southeast Asia.
Together with Tolentino, Gregorio led the signing as a declaration of their commitment to support the consortium.
Also during the event, BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier issued a call for strengthened regional cooperation.
Fonacier also affirmed the BSP's shared desire to break the barriers to sustainable food and agriculture systems, and accelerate efforts to promote inclusive, sustainable growth in the region.