A noted Filipino economist has been elected president of the Asian Society of Agricultural Economists (ASAE).

SEARCA Director and newly-elected ASAE
President Arsenio M. Balisacan

He was elected president of ASAE during the 6th ASAE international conference held recently at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Makati City. Dr. Balisacan, 50, a multi-awarded economist, academician, and research administrator, is the first Filipino to head the prestigious society.

Organized by ASAE and co-organized by the Philippine Agricultural Economics and Development Association (PAEDA) and SEARCA, this year’s conference was attended by about 300 economists and agricultural experts from various parts of the world. It had its theme: "The Asian Economic Renaissance: What’s in It for Agriculture?"

ASAE is an association of agricultural economists and other professionals with special interest in agricultural economic issues and affairs in Asia. The ASAE secretariat is hosted by the Korea Rural Economic Institute based in the capital city of Seoul.

The idea of establishing ASAE was first discussed in Malaga, Spain in 1985. In 1988, a second meeting was convened in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The society was formally launched in Tokyo (Japan) on Aug. 23, 1991. Since then, it has organized several activities and five conferences – in Seoul (1993), Indonesia (1996), India (2000), Malaysia (2002), and Iran (2005).

Dr. Balisacan, who holds a doctorate in economics from the University of Hawaii, had also served as Agriculture undersecretary.

During the celebration of this year’s National Science and technology Week, he was conferred the prestigious rank and title “Academician” by the National Academy of Science and technology (NAST), the government’s highest advisory and recognition body in science and technology.