January 22, 2021- The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Provincial Government of Quezon (PG Quezon) have committed to develop a project on the coconut industry growth areas in Quezon Province through formal agreements signed last January 18.
“SEARCA is keen to help PG Quezon realize its vision of a market-driven coconut industry with empowered and resilient farmers, engaging in profitable coconut-based enterprises, contributing to inclusive and sustainable agricultural development,” SEARCA Director Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio stressed.
He added that this partnership between SEARCA and PG Quezon is an expansion of an alliance that was started in 1985, with a parallel objective of linking the farmers to modern networks and innovative markets.
To develop enterprises and the capabilities of Quezon farmers through agricultural innovation, Dr. Gregorio said PG Quezon and SEARCA have agreed to collaborate on product development, strengthening of market linkages, and capacity building of farmer organizations.
Dr. Pedcris M. Orencio, SEARCA program head for Research and Thought Leadership, said these collaborative activities will be carried out using SEARCA’s agricultural and rural development (ARD) model.
Governor Danilo E. Suarez affirmed the value of the partnership between PG Quezon and SEARCA to establish an inclusive and sustainable ARD system in the province. He commended SEARCA’s aim to contribute to the country’s food and nutrition security and poverty reduction.
Dr Orencio emphasized that at the heart of SEARCA’s ARD model are participatory development approaches and sustainability strategies that strengthen farmer organizations while linking them with national and international organizations, academe, and local government units for technical and material support. These touchstones of the SEARCA ARD model are detailed in SEARCA’s “SEED: Scaling and Expanding for Effective Development” guidebook, which captures the lessons and results of piloting effective models of inclusive and sustainable ARD.
Furthermore, Dr. Orencio said SEARCA and PG Quezon will conduct a scoping of the coconut industry growth areas in the province together with the stakeholders to establish their project’s baseline.
Gov. Suarez expressed his intent to further solidify the status of Quezon province as a top producer of agriculture and fishery commodities and become known as the “food basket” in the region. He said this is where SEARCA can be of best assistance, with its knowledge and expertise on extensive research.
Based on the information coming from Ms Leah Lyn D. Domingo of SEARCA
