DL Umali Award Plaque

Honoring Excellence and Leadership, Service and Development in Southeast Asia

The search is on for the Dioscoro L. Umali Achievement Award in Agricultural Development.

The award recognizes exemplary individuals in Southeast Asia who have contributed to the advancement of agricultural development in the region as exemplified by Dr. Dioscoro L. Umali, the first Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and a renowned development practitioner. It covers achievements along the full range of fields that contribute to agricultural development including plant and animal sciences, land and water management, environment and natural resource management, technology development, social organization, food security, poverty reduction, economics and business, and policy and governance, among others.

The award is given biennially and comes with a cash prize of USD 10,000 and a plaque.

It is a collaboration among SEARCA, the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST, Philippines), and Dioscoro L. Umali Foundation, Inc. (DLUF).

Eligibility

The award is open to living nationals of any Southeast Asian country whose work in the region has resulted in an exceptionally significant impact on the development of agriculture and the improvement of the quality of life in rural communities in the region, especially among small farmers.

Nomination*

Only candidates nominated in writing by qualified nominators, accompanied by supporting documentation, shall be considered in the evaluation process by a Selection Committee composed of esteemed scientists and experts in the field of agriculture and rural development.

Nominations shall be kept confidential by the nominator and the Selection Committee.

Deadline for nominations is on May 2019.

* No current officials of SEARCA, DLUF, and NAST, Philippines may be nominated for the award.

Send nominations to:

  • The Secretariat
  • DL Umali Award
  • Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)
  • College, Los Baños 4031, Laguna, Philippines
  • Laguna Lines: +63 49 554 9330 to 39; +63 49 536 2290; +63 49 572 3743 local 3400/3402
  • Manila Lines: +63 49 8657 1300 to 02 local 3400/3402
  • Fax: +63 49 536 7097
  • Email:

Recipients of the DL Umali Award

Vo-Tong Xuan

Vietnam (2008)

For his dedicated and committed service in the promotion of diversified and sustainable agriculture, particulartly in rice production, in Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia.

A Path to Agricultural Development

Charan Chantalakhana

Thailand (2009)

For his pioneering work on cattle and buffalo genetic improvement, leading to the development of a new low-input cattle breed, which has helped small dairy farmers reduce their cost of production and expand dairy herds in Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam.

Smallholder Development through Sufficiency Economy

Ramon Barba

Philippines (2011)

For bringing world-class agricultural productivity-enhancing technologies including the mango flower induction technology and banana micro-propagation technique that empowered small-scale farmers, resulting to unprecedented impacts in the agro-processing sector of the Philippines and other parts of the region.

Revolutionizing Agricultural Science and Farming Technology: Chemical Flower Induction of Mango

Sjarifudin Baharsjah

Indonesia (2013)

For his outstanding efforts to promote food security in Indonesia through policies and measures, particularly the agribusiness aproach, effectively increasing productivity of rice farms and uplifting the welfare of Indonesian farmers.

Dare to Turn Around for Agricultural Success: Farmers as Key Change Agents