Dr. R.K. Singh (fourth from left), Program Leader and Principal Scientist (Plant Breeding), Crop Diversification and Genetics, International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), with SEARCA officers and staff led by Assoc. Prof. Joselito G. Florendo (second from left), SEARCA Deputy Director for Administration, during his visit on 2 June 2022.
Dr. R. K. Singh, Program Leader and Principal Scientist (Plant Breeding), Crop Diversification and Genetics, International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 2 June 2022. He was received by Assoc. Prof. Joselito G. Florendo, SEARCA Deputy Director for Administration; Dr. Romeo V. Labios, Operations Consultant, Partnerships Unit (PU); Asst. Prof. Glenn N. Baticados, Program Head, Emerging Innovation for Growth Department (EIGD); Ms. Beatrisa L. Martinez, Executive Coordinator, Office of the Director; and PU and EIGD staff.
Dr. Singh (left) talks about the importance of quinoa and millets as stress-tolerant and alternative crops in terms of nutritional value during his meeting with SEARCA officers and staff led by SEARCA Deputy Director Florendo (right).
On 2-7 June 2022, SEARCA will assist Dr. Singh in conducting an informal survey on the use of millets and quinoa as well as gather information on the availability, accessibility, and affordability of millets and quinoa in selected sites in the Philippines. Ms. Darlyn R. Angeles, Project Associate, and Mr. Jerrel Edric B. Mallari, Project Assistant, both of EIGD, will assist Dr. Singh on his visits to village, town, and city markets, including supermarkets, in Laguna, Batangas, and Metro Manila.
SEARCA has a standing formal agreement with Dubai-based ICBA to collaborate on areas of common interest. In view of this, Dr. Singh broached the possibility of cooperation concerning internships in which SEARCA can send students for internship at ICBA or universities in ICBA’s network.