SEARCA in the News

IN celebration of the International Day of Cooperatives, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) spotlights its impactful programs that have empowered calamansi and coconut farmer cooperatives in Oriental Mindoro and Quezon Province, Philippines. By implementing innovative strategies and promoting sustainable practices introduced by SEARCA, cooperatives in the two provinces have achieved remarkable gains in yield, income, and community well-being. Revitalizing a local calamansi industry In Oriental Mindoro, SEARCA's initiatives focused on enhancing the value chain for calamansi farmers. This involved providing advanced training in agricultural techniques, introducing sustainable farming practices, and establishing better… Read more

THE Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD) has published new research articles for its June 2024 issue focusing on initiatives and the grassroots in Southeast Asia as they respond to previous food and economic shocks and their aftermath. In its Volume 21.2 release, AJAD published seven papers tackling common themes in ensuring food security, future-proofing farming, creating resilient food value chains, good agricultural practices adoption, agrifood digitalization, withstanding food disruptions, building food-resilient households and communities, and sustainability of rural development. In a paper titled "Drivers of Successful Adoption of Eco-innovation: Case Studies of Agricultural Cooperatives in Vietnam," Huong Lan… Read more

SOUTHEAST Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) director Glenn Gregorio delivered the commencement speech at the 20th Commencement Exercises of Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) held at the Carlos M. Padilla Convention Center on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Speaking before graduates, faculty and guests, Gregorio emphasized the vital role that every graduate can play in addressing agricultural challenges and contributing to agricultural development, regardless of their field of study or chosen profession. In his speech, the SEARCA director congratulated the graduates and acknowledged the significant support of their families, highlighting the collaborative journey that led… Read more

Dr. Glenn Gregorio, Center Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), delivered the commencement speech at the 20th Commencement Exercises of Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) held on 27 June 2024 at the Carlos M. Padilla Convention Center in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines. Speaking before graduates, faculty, and guests, Dr. Gregorio emphasized the vital role that every graduate can play in addressing agricultural challenges and contributing to agricultural development, regardless of their field of study or chosen profession. In his speech, Dr. Gregorio congratulated the graduates and acknowledged the significant support of… Read more

THAI Ambassador to the Philippines Tull Traisorat visited the Philippine government-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) to discuss joint efforts in a year-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of Philippines-Thailand diplomatic relations this year. Received by SEARCA Center Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio and other SEARCA officials, the envoy was accompanied by Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission Rangsant Srimangkorn and First Secretary Witsarut Piyavongsomboon. During the visit, Traisorat lauded SEARCA's significant contribution to Southeast Asia's agriculture development and food security, especially in Thailand. He also thanked the center for its continuous support of… Read more

The United Nations has honoured an Aston University visiting researcher for her work within the sustainability and renewable energy sector. Czaneil Gomez received the 2024 Youth Award from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations' Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP). Czaneil is an early career researcher from the Philippines based at the University of the Philippines Los Baños and Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). She received the honour for her research conducted at Aston University's Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI), which is recognised globally for its expertise in the area… Read more

AT least 11 schools in the province of Rizal underwent monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activity as part of the School Edible Landscaping for Entrepreneurship (SEL4E) Project of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). SEARCA director Glenn Gregorio said the M&E activity conducted aimed to evaluate the transfer and application of training through the participants' re-entry action plans, monitor project implementation progress and gather project updates from the schools. Gregorio noted that among the post-training expectations from the participants was the establishment or improvement of their respective school gardens. "It is also expected that… Read more

Thai Ambassador to the Philippines Tull Traisorat visited the Philippine government-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) to discuss joint efforts in a year-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of Philippines-Thailand diplomatic relations this year. The envoy was accompanied by Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission Rangsant Srimangkorn and First Secretary Witsarut Piyavongsomboon. They were received by SEARCA Center Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio and other SEARCA officials. Traisorat began by lauding SEARCA's significant contribution to agriculture development and food security in Southeast Asia, especially in Thailand. He also thanked the Center for its continuous… Read more

A PROFESSOR from the United States-based Michigan State University (MSU) and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) have discussed collaboration prospects on research, innovation, capacity building and publication. Prof. Evangelyn Alocilja of MSU Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering visited SEARCA on May 28 and was oriented on the center's mandate, core programs and offerings. SEARCA program head Gerlie Tatlonghari of the Research and Thought Leadership Department shared the center's plan to establish the Consortium for Agricultural Development, Research and Extension (CADRE). Tatlonghari explained that CADRE is a regional network of high-caliber, like-minded… Read more

THE University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)-based Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) have agreed to collaborate on agribusiness-related initiatives. The five-year agreement was signed by SEARCA Director Glenn Gregorio and UA&P President Winston Conrad Padojinog, with Associate Professor Joselito Florendo, SEARCA deputy director for administration, and Marya Svetlana Camacho, UA&P vice president for faculty affairs, as witnesses, on May 27 at UA&P in Pasig City. Gregorio said SEARCA and UA&P share common priority areas, such as food security and agribusiness, adding that the… Read more