SEARCA, SciDev.Net to advance science comms

THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and SciDev.Net have forged a five-year agreement to advance science communication for agriculture development.

SciDev.Net is the world's leading source of reliable and authoritative news, views and analysis on science and technology for global development. CAB International is the parent organization of SciDev.Net.

Signatories to the agreement are SEARCA Center Director Glenn Gregorio and SciDev.Net managing editor Ben Deighton with Joselito Florendo, SEARCA deputy director for administration, and Joel Adriano, SciDev.Net regional coordinator, as witnesses.

Gregorio said on Monday that the partnership aims to strengthen science and technology communication in agriculture, environment and health across Southeast Asia.

"The agreement marks a milestone in SEARCA's efforts to drive agricultural innovation, including the area of sustainable and carbon-wise farming practices, through effective science communication," he said.

Gregorio also noted that SciDev.Net has been at the forefront of "delivering reliable and accessible science and technology news, making complex topics understandable for policymakers, scientists and the general public."

He said SEARCA and SciDev.Net will work together on initiatives to advance education on writing about science. "These efforts are intended to enhance public understanding of agricultural science and technology, which supports sustainable development, and regional and global food security goals."

"Through this partnership with SciDev.Net, we are amplifying the reach of critical agricultural research and technology to broader audiences so that our efforts toward sustainable development have a far-reaching impact," Gregorio added.