Former Prime Minister Cesar Virata and Senator Edgardo Angara served as keynote speakers during the SEARCA Book Launch held at the New World Renaissance Hotel, Makati City last October 7.

Maricor Baytion of Ateneo Press serving as MC (inset),
L to R: Virata, Balisacan, Angara

Sen. Angara highlighted two important things in agriculture. The first is research and development (R&D), that is, the injection of technology into agriculture. These include biotechnology and genetic engineering, both of which he considered as ways of increasing productivity.

Second is the improvement of post-harvest facilities in the country. He pointed out that the lack of necessary facilities causes us to lose billions in the agriculture sector. “If we make these [post-harvest facilities] more efficient, our country can be food secure -not necessarily food sufficient but food secure… we can manage limited resources and apply them in areas where it matters, which is R&D,” he further explained.

On the other hand, Mr. Virata highly praised the books saying, “I really appreciate very much the combined pursuit of these authors with reference to a subject that is declining in interest but is very important to economists… [I commend] your focus of development issues affecting the sector and your perseverance to obtain to life lessons of the past that could assist us in reaching the preferred future that we would like to see.”

Other notable guests were Dr. Jikun Huang of the Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy (CCAP), Dr. Thomas Elhaut of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Mr. Ellie Osir of the International Development Research Center (IDRC). Cambodia Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. In May, Scientific attaché of the French Embassy, Ines Loge, members of the SEARCA Advisory Committee, Dr. Gelia Castillo and Prof. Solita Monsod, and other authors were also present during the event.

The book launch was organized by SEARCA together with the Ateneo de Manila University Press. (Ranell Martin M. Dedicatoria, KMU)

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