SEARCA News

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the University of Computer Sciences Yangon (UCSY) in Myanmar, and University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) have partnered to develop a cloud-based AgPractices&Domains platform. This project is an integrative system of information and modelling for recommendations on domains of agricultural practices and technologies. It aimed to improve and build the capacity of agriculture researchers in Myanmar and the Philippines in using data from different sources to target integrated pest and disease management options through the use of the platform. The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) funded… Read more
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) along with its private sector partner SyCip Gorres and Velayo & Company (SGV) successfully conducted the Inception Workshop for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) project "Analysis of Fruit and Vegetable Value Chains in the Philippines" on 11 September 2020 via Zoom. A total of 44 participants composed of Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) officials and staff and executives of private firms from the logistics and lending industry participated in the online workshop. The draft Inception report of the project submitted to ADB on 10 August 2020 outlines… Read more
LOS BAÑOS, Laguna – Dr. Karen Joyce G. Cayamanda was formally appointed by the UP Board of Regents as ad interim Vice Chancellor for Administration of University of the Philippines Mindanao effective 1 September 2020. Dr. Cayamanda took her PhD in Development Studies at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and was a recipient of the SEARCA PhD Research Scholarship. Prior to this, she took her BA and MA Communication Arts degree in the same institution. Upon graduation, Dr. Cayamanda first served as University Research Associate I in UPLB working on architectural forms of Laguna and "Rituals and… Read more
Through SEARCA's Online Learning and Virtual Engagement (SOLVE) platform, the "National Forum on One Health Innovations to Mitigate Impacts of COVID-19" was convened on 26 August 2020 by SEARCA; SEAMEO Regional Centre for Public Health, Hospital Administration, Environmental and Occupational Health (TROPMED Philippines); and the Department of Agriculture (DA) and National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) of the Philippines. It was virtually attended by representatives from national and local government agencies, and nongovernmental organizations involved in human, animal, and environmental health. There were also participants who are faculty members, researchers and staff of state universities and colleges, and agriculture… Read more
Dedicated to pursuing enhanced agricultural and rural development (ARD) towards climate resilience that will Accelerate Transformation Through Agricultural Innovation (ATTAIN), the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) conducted the SEARCA Online Learning and Virtual Engagement (SOLVE) webinar on "Climate Resilience Gap through Nature-Based Solutions Innovations" on 9 September 2020 through Zoom and Facebook. Launched on 28 April 2020, the SOLVE webinar intends to provide an avenue for knowledge sharing on concrete innovative actions on the ground along with SEARCA's 11th Five-Year Plan through technology-mediated social platforms that would directly benefit farmers and farming families and… Read more
The pandemic has greatly affected agricultural production and food systems. It has also emphasized food supply and its safety. Since hazards and contamination can occur in different stages along the production chain, it has become necessary to address food safety measures right at the farm level. A virtual training-workshop on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for emerging agricultural commodities amid COVID-19 pandemic was held using the Zoom platform on 27-28 August 2020. It was organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) in collaboration with the Philippine Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI)… Read more
Soybean has been recognized as a crop with many values. It is seen to have the potential to address malnutrition in children as well as prevent several critical illnesses such as certain types of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. More importantly, it is a good source of various vitamins and minerals, making it a nutritious food for everyone. Realizing the health and nutritional benefits of soybeans, the Golden Beans & Grains Producers Cooperative (GBGPC) implemented a research project funded by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), titled "Soybean Roast Promotion and Processing Technology Utilization and Promotion in Luzon… Read more
The Philippines possesses a competitive advantage among Asian countries in growing cacao due to its geographic location, optimum climatic condition for growth and development, and its proximity to markets. Despite being the first in Asia to plant the crop, the Philippines is a net importer of cacao. Given this, the Department of Agriculture (DA) conducted initiatives to encourage local farmers to boost their production. In the CALABARZON Region, the DA-Quezon Agricultural Research and Experiment Station (QARES) conducted an agribusiness development project funded by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) which aimed to develop the technology for propagating cacao… Read more
Cashew is a commodity that has been marketed primarily for its nuts. The province of Palawan in the Philippines is known as the top cashew-producing province where 90% of the total supply is being produced. In fact, with the abundance of the fruit, cashew has been regarded as Palawan's One Town, One Product (OTOP). However, cashew farmers are experiencing low-income return, which was partly attributed to the underutilization of the cashew apple's flesh, which is 90 percent of the entire fruit. This is mainly attributed to the insufficient knowledge of its processing potential. The Western Philippines University realized the need… Read more
The Ilocos Region is the largest garlic-producing region in the Philippines, contributing more than 65% to the country's total production. It has the best comparative advantage in garlic production because of its agroclimatic suitability. However, the region experienced a decline not just in volume of production but also in the area planted and harvested for garlic. The downward trend in productivity may be attributed to low-yielding varieties and high postharvest losses. In addition, the garlic farmers in the region shifted to other high-value crops as a result of low pricing due to a very stiff competition with imported garlic. In… Read more
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