SEARCA in the News

THE UNIVERSITY of Asia and the Pacific has partnered with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture to advance agribusiness initiatives. UA&P President Dr. Winston Conrad Padojinog and SEARCA Center Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio signed the memorandum of agreement. "This partnership is a strategic milestone that promises numerous benefits not only for our respective institutions but also for the broader community in which both our institutions serve," Dr. Padojinog said. He highlighted that UA&P would benefit from enhanced programs and initiatives, especially in agribusiness. UA&P and SEARCA share a commitment to sustainable development and agricultural… Read more

More than a hundred stakeholders from the region spent two days deliberating on establishing a network of high-caliber, like-minded institutions with a unified goal of driving agricultural transformation toward sustainable and inclusive development in Southeast Asia. Held on 20-21 June 2024 at SEARCA headquarters in Los Baños, the Philippines, and also livestreamed, it included representatives from government, academia, the private sector, producer groups, civil society organizations, research institutions, and development partners. Called a 'Regional Stakeholder Consultation Workshop for the Consortium for Agricultural Development, Research, and Extension in Southeast Asia' (CADRE), it was organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for… Read more

THE 44th Annual Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering (PAASE) Meeting and Symposium (APAMS) was held recently at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) highlighting technological advances for food and nutrition security. Bringing together leading scientists, engineers, and researchers from the Philippines and overseas, the conference from July 13 to 23, 2024 is held across four different Philippine state universities: the University of Rizal System (July 13-14), UPLB (July 15-17), Batangas State University (July 18-19), and Eastern Visayas State University (July 20-22). Anchored on… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has released the June 2024 issue (Volume 21.1) of the Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD), which dives into critical themes for agriculture in Southeast Asia, including food security, resilient food value chains, and sustainable rural development. Published by SEARCA, AJAD is a freely accessible, peer-reviewed journal focusing on agriculture and development research. SEARCA Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio said AJAD publishes articles on empirical studies, policy discussions, and institutional development analyses. While the journal offers online access to all articles, printed copies are available through subscription… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) celebrated the International Day of Cooperatives by highlighting its successful initiatives empowering calamansi and coconut farmer cooperatives in Oriental Mindoro and Quezon provinces. "Empowering local farmers through cooperatives is a cornerstone of sustainable agricultural development. By providing the necessary tools and knowledge, we enable farmers to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the broader economic growth," said SEARCA Center director Dr. Glenn Gregorio. Calamansi farmers SEARCA's efforts in Oriental Mindoro focused on enhancing the entire value chain for calamansi farmers. This involved advanced training in agricultural techniques… Read more

THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) held two events that introduced and promoted open-system farm machines to agricultural communities in the Philippines and Cambodia. SEARCA Director Glenn Gregorio said these events were recently held in collaboration with Central Philippines State University (CPSU) in the Philippines and the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) in Cambodia. "These events represent a crucial step toward modernizing agricultural practices in these regions," Gregorio said, adding that these initiatives also "underscore the importance of collaboration among the academe, industry and government in driving agricultural innovation." He noted that SEARCA… Read more

THE Philippine-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the Rotary Club of Calamba and the "Bahay ni Maria" have joined forces to design and establish an edible garden for the elderly and children with special needs in a site in Calamba, Laguna. The Bahay ni Maria, a home for abandoned elderly and children with special needs in Calamba, is the partner-beneficiary of the initiative represented by Sister Maria Immaculate Ancog, head of Missionary Sisters of Our Lady Fatima, during the recent signing of a tripartite agreement. The agreement was signed by SEARCA Director Glenn… Read more

In the lush fields of Oriental Mindoro, a revolution is quietly unfolding among calamansi farmers, transforming their fortunes through the power of cooperation and sustainable practices. As the world marks the International Day of Cooperatives on July 6, 2024, the success story of Oriental Mindoro's calamansi industry stands as a testament to the potential of collaborative efforts in agriculture. The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has been at the forefront of this transformation, implementing innovative strategies that have significantly boosted yields, income, and community well-being. "Empowering local farmers through cooperatives is a cornerstone… 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." Gomez received the award during the United Nations' Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) 11th Bioenergy Week held in Rome on June 17, said Shielo Pasahol in SEARCA news release. Maria Michela Morese, FAO senior natural resources officer and energy team leader, presented the award to Gomez, who bested seven other finalists. Gomez… Read more

CZANEIL Gomez, a Filipino researcher from the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research (SEARCA), received the United Nations Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) Youth Award in Rome, Italy, last month. Her research, "Harnessing Rice Straw to Empower Rice Farming Communities in the Philippines," gained the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 2024 Youth Award for its contribution to sustainable and renewable energy. Note: Full access to this article is exclusive to The Manila Times subscribers… Read more