"Agriculture and biodiversity conservation are often framed as conflicting pursuits—as if we must sacrifice one for the other. But the real challenge is not about choosing between them. It's about finding ways to make agriculture a partner in conservation," emphasized Dr. Glenn Gregorio, Center Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), during his keynote address at the Webinar on Challenges, Opportunities, and Innovation Strategies in Managing Protected Forests for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainability held on 7 March 2025.
The webinar was organized and hosted by the Central Mindanao University (CMU), an affiliate member of the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC). The UC is a regional network established by SEARCA in 1989 to strengthen graduate education and collaborative research in agriculture and natural resources.
Dr. Gregorio, who also serves as Adjunct Professor at CMU and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) as well as Academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology of the Philippines (NAST), delivered his address to an audience of academics, students, and CMU partners.
Speaking not only as a plant breeder, rice scientist, United Nations Food Systems Champion, sustainability advocate, and carbon agriculture enthusiast, but also, in his own words, "at my core, a farmer," Dr. Gregorio challenged participants to reimagine the relationship between agriculture and biodiversity conservation.
Urgent call for action and innovation
Dr. Gregorio noted that biodiversity is disappearing up to a thousand times faster than normal because of deforestation, urban expansion, and unsustainable farming practices. He also pointed out that protected forests, essential for carbon storage, climate regulation, and wildlife habitats, are under increasing pressure.
He thus introduced Carbon-Smart Agriculture as a transformative solution—a way to regenerate soils, enhance biodiversity, and secure food production all at once.
"Agriculture doesn't have to deplete nature; it can restore it," he emphasized.
He said, "With the right innovations, we can turn farms into partners for conservation."
SEARCA's Carbon WISE innovations
Dr. Gregorio explained that SEARCA has three ongoing initiatives aligned with its advocacy for "Carbon WISE Agriculture: Winnable Innovation Solutions for the Environment" embodied in its 12th Five-Year Development Plan (2025–30).
Its Rice Straw Biogas Hub project led by United Kingdom-startup Straw Innovations is converting rice straw waste into clean energy, reducing emissions while providing Filipino farmers with sustainable energy alternatives.
SEARCA also developed a carbon footprint tracker, an internal system that enables the Center to measure, manage, and reduce its environmental impact. This is one way of embedding sustainability into SEARCA's operations because, according to Dr. Gregorio, "real change starts with accountability."
A regional collaboration for carbon farming is also being organized by SEARCA in partnership with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). They are looking to gather more than 100 experts across agriculture, finance, and policy sectors to scale up carbon-smart agriculture across Southeast Asia.
Collaboration is key
Dr. Gregorio stressed that to achieve a balance between agricultural productivity and biodiversity conservation demands science-based innovation, evidence-informed policies, and strong cross-sectoral partnerships.
"The future of our forests and food systems is in our hands," Dr. Gregorio said.
He asserted that "together, we can redefine agriculture not as a threat to biodiversity, but as its ally. The time to act is now."