The Southeast Asian Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) have formalized their institutional cooperation to undertake joint programs and projects on areas of common interest and exchange knowledge resources.
Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, SEARCA Director, and Dr. Tarifa Al Zaabi, ICBA Acting Director General, signed the memorandum of understanding between their institutions on 15 March 2021 in a virtual signing ceremony witnessed by key ICBA and SEARCA officials and staff.
Dubai-based ICBA is a non-profit organization that works in over 30 countries to strengthen agricultural productivity in marginal and saline environments through identifying, testing, and facilitating access to sustainable solutions for food, nutrition, and income security.
Dr. Gregorio said SEARCA is keen to work with ICBA in helping uplift the lives of farmers, particularly those who depend on marginal and saline lands.
“With the complexity of the challenges in agriculture in our society, we need to work together in partnerships,” he stressed.
Areas of possible collaboration that SEARCA and ICBA will explore include capacity building initiatives, including scholarships and trainings; research; publications; and social media exchange.
