SEARCA in the News

ASEAN’s farm research center SEARCA is boosting support for favorable agri-biotechnology regulatory policies amid local calls for the revocation of the commercial permit of pro-Vitamin A-rich Golden Rice. Believing agri-biotechnology will be key to food security and the upliftment of farmers’ lives, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture said itpartnered with three expert groups for the golden rice program to boost expert knowledge in regulations on living modified organisms (LMO). LMO include farm products more known to be the controversial GMO (genetically modified organisms). This is through the opening of the program “Second Asian Course… Read more

Myanmar Ambassador to the Philippines U Lwin Oo expressed appreciation for the scholarships the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture has provided to Myanmar nationals during his recent visit to Searca. He was received by Searca Director Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio and Searca Deputy Director for Administration Joselito G. Florendo. Lwin has been very recently appointed to the Philippines, having presented his credentials to President Duterte last December 4. Gregorio briefed him about Searca and its programs that include projects and activities covering Myanmar, such as the ongoing “Agricultural transformation and market integration in Asean countries: Responding to food… Read more

Los Baños, Laguna―Diverse perspectives on the Rice Tariffication Law emerged at the session on regional implication of the Philippine RTL. The session was convened by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture during the recently held Inaugural Rice Research Symposium of the World Rice Conference organized by The Rice Trader. Republic Act 11203 or RTL was recently passed with the purpose of lifting existing quantitative import restrictions on rice. It has amassed mixed reactions from various stakeholders of the local rice industry, raising the question as to whether it is indeed beneficial for the Philippine… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) was lauded by U Lwin Oo, Ambassador of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the Philippines, for the scholarships it has provided to Myanmar nationals. Ambassador Lwin Oo, who has been very recently appointed to the Philippines, has visited the SEARCA office in Laguna and during his visit, SEARCA Director Glenn B. Gregorio briefed him about his organization and its programs, many of which are regional in scope and include projects and activities covering Myanmar such as the ongoing project “Agricultural Transformation and Market Integration… Read more

(SDN) — THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has been doing its share of modernizing agriculture in Southeast Asia (SEA). And, beyond, perhaps. Part of this effort is offering scholarships to the residents of the various countries of the region. One of the latest to enjoy this privilege is Myanmar, one of the member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Other members of the regional bloc are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. This month on December 19, the new Myanmar Ambassador to the Philippines U… Read more

The Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD) launches a new look on its 15th year of publication, symbolic of the pivotal turn in its publisher's goal to contribute in addressing regional and global challenges, elevating agricultural families' quality of life through sustainable and resilient livelihoods and access to modern networks and markets. The new AJAD look highlights the iconic "tree" emblem of its publisher, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), which shows a molave tree with an interlace of grain stalks and panicles wreathed under its roots. In the same way, AJAD… Read more

Los Baños, Laguna―The Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development launches a new look on its 15th year of publication. The new AJAD look is symbolic of the pivotal turn in the goal of its publisher, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, to contribute in addressing regional and global challenges of agricultural development, and elevating the quality of life of agricultural families through sustainable and resilient livelihoods and access to modern networks and markets. The new AJAD cover prominently features the emblem of its publisher―a molave tree with an interlace of grain stalks and panicles… Read more

Prof. Joselito G. Florendo, outgoing vice president for Planning and Finance of the University of the Philippines (UP) System, has been appointed as deputy director for Administration of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) effective December 1. Florendo is an associate professor at the UP Diliman (UPD) Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business. Having served as vice president for Planning and Finance of UP from May 2014 to November 2019, Florendo brings with him an extensive experience in administration. He earlier served as assistant vice president for Planning and Finance, UP System; director… Read more

Rice scientists are developing new crop breeding approaches for a more modern breeding program. Glenn Gregorio, director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), advocates to explore alternative approaches to implementing a modern breeding program. This is to address the problem of fast-tracking the development of crop varieties for commercialization. The director also proposed the introduction of genomic selection into a crop breeding program and a strong research management approach by identifying and analyzing problems with the crop… Read more

Several regional experts have recently shared their diverse thoughts on the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) in a forum organized by Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). The RTL was recently passed with the purpose of lifting existing quantitative import restrictions on rice. With the current influx of imported rice and the consequent plunge in domestic farmgate prices, the RTL has amassed mixed reactions from various stakeholders of the local rice industry, raising the question as to whether it is indeed beneficial for the Philippine rice industry. Nonetheless, the current push for the establishment of… Read more