SEARCA in the News

THE 44th Annual Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering (PAASE) Meeting and Symposium (APAMS) was held recently at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) highlighting technological advances for food and nutrition security. Bringing together leading scientists, engineers, and researchers from the Philippines and overseas, the conference from July 13 to 23, 2024 is held across four different Philippine state universities: the University of Rizal System (July 13-14), UPLB (July 15-17), Batangas State University (July 18-19), and Eastern Visayas State University (July 20-22). Anchored on… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) celebrated the International Day of Cooperatives by highlighting its successful initiatives empowering calamansi and coconut farmer cooperatives in Oriental Mindoro and Quezon provinces. "Empowering local farmers through cooperatives is a cornerstone of sustainable agricultural development. By providing the necessary tools and knowledge, we enable farmers to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the broader economic growth," said SEARCA Center director Dr. Glenn Gregorio. Calamansi farmers SEARCA's efforts in Oriental Mindoro focused on enhancing the entire value chain for calamansi farmers. This involved advanced training in agricultural techniques… Read more

THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) held two events that introduced and promoted open-system farm machines to agricultural communities in the Philippines and Cambodia. SEARCA Director Glenn Gregorio said these events were recently held in collaboration with Central Philippines State University (CPSU) in the Philippines and the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) in Cambodia. "These events represent a crucial step toward modernizing agricultural practices in these regions," Gregorio said, adding that these initiatives also "underscore the importance of collaboration among the academe, industry and government in driving agricultural innovation." He noted that SEARCA… Read more

THE Philippine-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the Rotary Club of Calamba and the "Bahay ni Maria" have joined forces to design and establish an edible garden for the elderly and children with special needs in a site in Calamba, Laguna. The Bahay ni Maria, a home for abandoned elderly and children with special needs in Calamba, is the partner-beneficiary of the initiative represented by Sister Maria Immaculate Ancog, head of Missionary Sisters of Our Lady Fatima, during the recent signing of a tripartite agreement. The agreement was signed by SEARCA Director Glenn… Read more

In the lush fields of Oriental Mindoro, a revolution is quietly unfolding among calamansi farmers, transforming their fortunes through the power of cooperation and sustainable practices. As the world marks the International Day of Cooperatives on July 6, 2024, the success story of Oriental Mindoro's calamansi industry stands as a testament to the potential of collaborative efforts in agriculture. The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has been at the forefront of this transformation, implementing innovative strategies that have significantly boosted yields, income, and community well-being. "Empowering local farmers through cooperatives is a cornerstone… Read more

Sa pagdiriwang ng International Day of Cooperatives, ang Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) ay binibigyang-diin ang mga epekto nitong programa na nagbigay-lakas sa mga kooperatiba ng calamansi at coconut farmer sa Oriental Mindoro at Quezon Province, Philippines. Iniulat ng SEARCA na nagbibigay sila ng advanced na pagsasanay sa mga diskarte sa agrikultura, pagpapakilala ng napapanatiling mga kasanayan sa pagsasaka, at pagtatatag ng mas mahusay na mga ugnayan sa merkado para sa pagpapahusay ng value chain ng mga magsasaka ng calamansi sa Oriental Mindoro. Sa pamamagitan ng mga komprehensibong workshop at field demonstrations, na… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has released the June 2024 issue (Volume 21.1) of the Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD), which dives into critical themes for agriculture in Southeast Asia, including food security, resilient food value chains, and sustainable rural development. Published by SEARCA, AJAD is a freely accessible, peer-reviewed journal focusing on agriculture and development research. SEARCA Center Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio said AJAD publishes articles on empirical studies, policy discussions, and institutional development analyses. While the journal offers online access to all articles, printed copies are available through… Read more

IN celebration of the International Day of Cooperatives, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) spotlights its impactful programs that have empowered calamansi and coconut farmer cooperatives in Oriental Mindoro and Quezon Province, Philippines. By implementing innovative strategies and promoting sustainable practices introduced by SEARCA, cooperatives in the two provinces have achieved remarkable gains in yield, income, and community well-being. Revitalizing a local calamansi industry In Oriental Mindoro, SEARCA's initiatives focused on enhancing the value chain for calamansi farmers. This involved providing advanced training in agricultural techniques, introducing sustainable farming practices, and establishing better… Read more

THE Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD) has published new research articles for its June 2024 issue focusing on initiatives and the grassroots in Southeast Asia as they respond to previous food and economic shocks and their aftermath. In its Volume 21.2 release, AJAD published seven papers tackling common themes in ensuring food security, future-proofing farming, creating resilient food value chains, good agricultural practices adoption, agrifood digitalization, withstanding food disruptions, building food-resilient households and communities, and sustainability of rural development. In a paper titled "Drivers of Successful Adoption of Eco-innovation: Case Studies of Agricultural Cooperatives in Vietnam," Huong Lan… Read more

SOUTHEAST Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) director Glenn Gregorio delivered the commencement speech at the 20th Commencement Exercises of Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) held at the Carlos M. Padilla Convention Center on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Speaking before graduates, faculty and guests, Gregorio emphasized the vital role that every graduate can play in addressing agricultural challenges and contributing to agricultural development, regardless of their field of study or chosen profession. In his speech, the SEARCA director congratulated the graduates and acknowledged the significant support of their families, highlighting the collaborative journey that led… Read more