SEARCA in the News

Maejo University (MJU) and Philippines-based Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) are jointly organising the 8th UC Graduate Forum under the auspices of the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC). To be held on 18-19 May 2023 in the Furama Chiang Mai Hotel, the 8th UC Graduate Forum is themed “Prospect of Agriculture Sustainability: Agroforestry, Precision Agriculture, Smart farming, and Innovative Agri Products.” At least 70 researchers, experts, practitioners, policymakers, and students from around the world are expected to convene in Chiang Mai to exchange ideas, discuss cutting-edge advancements… Read more

The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) will conduct a benchmarking study in agriculture research for development (R4D). Titled "Benchmarking of the Agricultural Research for Development (R4D) Management System with Selected Asian Countries," SEARCA Director Glenn Gregorio said the project aims to assess and analyze the R4D coordination and management activities of institutions that fund agriculture and fisheries to enhance DA-BAR's implementation process of the agricultural R4D management system. Gregorio said the project will involve different participatory learning approaches in gathering the best practices of… Read more

In its push for family farming, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has called for a holistic approach to support resilient food systems and ensure food security in the country. According to Dr. Glenn Gregorio, SEARCA director, this was the resounding message resulting from a SEARCA-led hybrid and flexible Agriculture and Development Seminar Series (ADSS) late last month. Gregorio said the "ADSS on Leveraging the Role of Family Farming Towards More Productive and Resilient Food Systems in the Philippines" is relevant, adding that "now more than ever, there is a need to promote… Read more

Shrimp waste was turned into bioplastic for packaging and could be a potential solution to lessen the massive waste from nonbiodegradable plastics.  University of San Carlos (USC) researchers have developed the bioplastic with support from the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture through the latter’s Grants for Research toward Agriculture and Innovative Solutions, said a SEARCA news release. The grant was awarded in 2022 to the project team led by Dr. Maria Kristina Paler. According to the team, processing frozen shrimp meat for export generates tons of waste composed of shrimp heads and shells, which… Read more

Efforts to realize the roadmap development of the calamansi industry in Oriental Mindoro kicked off with a back-to-back training workshop at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) headquarters in Los Baños town in Laguna province. Through Searca's Research and Thought Leadership Department, the Back-to-Back Training Workshops on Roadmap Development and Marketing Strategies for Calamansi from April 11-14, 2023 is a form of technical assistance for the roadmap development in collaboration with the Oriental Mindoro provincial government. According to Searca Director Glenn Gregorio, the training workshops aimed to capacitate select representatives of the calamansi… Read more

THE Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division in Palawan together with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) organized a three-day training on sustainable food production for Busuanga Island schools and communities. This training in Coron, Palawan which started on May 9 and culminates today, May 11, gathered at least 40 school heads, Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (GPP) coordinators, and representatives from selected barangays in Busuanga and Coron. Searca Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio noted that during the three-day training, the participants were expected to learn and experience hands-on training. Topics discussed include school and… Read more

CEBU CITY — University of San Carlos (USC) researchers have developed a potential solution to lessen the massive waste from nonbiodegradable plastics by turning shrimp waste into bioplastic with potential use for packaging. The project was supported by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) through its Grants for Research toward Agriculture and Innovative Solutions (GRAINS). The grant was awarded in 2022 to the project team led by Dr. Maria Kristina Paler. According to the team, processing frozen shrimp meat for export generates tons of waste in the form of shrimp heads and shells, which… Read more

A PROFESSOR from the Northern Ireland-based Ulster University visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) to discuss potential areas of collaboration on education and training. Professor Sven Schottmann who visited SEARCA on April 24, 2023 met with Dr. Maria Cristeta Cuaresma, SEARCA's Education and Collective Learning Department (ECLD) senior program head; and Dr. Nova Ramos, ECLD-Training for Development Unit head. A civic university known for its world-class teaching, Ulster University aims to enhance its learners' social experiences and promote interactive classroom setups and immersed pedagogical innovations. According to SEARCA Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio… Read more

The World Bank has urged the government to grant the private sector incentives to invest in climate smart agriculture and renewable energy and tap ESG bonds to finance climate actions countering disasters. World Bank officials said the government should expand the access of climate financing to the private sector in a Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) 2022 it presented in a forum of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). It also urged the Philippines to make investment policies for climate action attractive and encouraged access to environmental, social and governance (ESG) bonds… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) said rice farmers and agricultural officers in Laguna and Nueva Ecija are keen on expanding the utilization of rice straw for bioenergy as an alternative to burning waste straw in fields. A roundtable discussion held earlier this month identified challenges, opportunities and innovations in implementing local and national policies on rice straw management. SEARCA said participants included representatives of local government units, farmer associations, environmental groups, research organizations and other rice commodity stakeholders from ten rice-producing municipalities in Laguna and Nueva Ecija. The discussion focused on the… Read more