PASAY CITY, Philippines—Dr. Glenn Gregorio, Center Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), served as a panel discussant during the "Sustainability and Technology in the Rice Supply Chain" session of the 2024 International World Rice Conference Summit held on 5–7 November at the Conrad Hotel Manila.
In his talk, Dr. Gregorio underscored the role of sustainability and technology in strengthening the rice supply chain.
"We embrace sustainability and technology to transform the rice supply chain toward greater resilience and transparency," he remarked.
"By integrating sustainable practices and advanced technology, stakeholders can better navigate climate impacts, secure food supply, and support sustainable livelihoods for rice producers worldwide," he added.
Dr. Gregorio also emphasized the potential of the Philippines and Southeast Asia to become agribusiness hubs. He rallied to upgrade traditional agriculture to a more progressive, globally competitive agribusiness industry. To support this goal, he proposed strategies such as addressing supply chain gaps, supporting smallholder farmers, mainstreaming climate-resilient agriculture, and investing in rural infrastructure and innovation.
Moreover, he provided insights into Southeast Asia's market overview post-COVID-19 pandemic. He discussed the shift in consumer behavior from a just-in-time to a just-in-case model wherein people tend to stock food supplies and seek alternative food sources. He also explained the inclination toward home cooking healthier, higher-quality food and growing food for self-sufficiency.
Dr. Gregorio poses with Mr. Vivek Sharma, investor and Co-founder of Farm Angel, and Dr. Wyn Ellis, Executive Director of Sustainable Rice Platform
In its 16th run, IWRC was hosted by The Rice Trader, with SEARCA as one of its co-organizers. It was attended by over 600 industry leaders, exhibitors, and sponsors. Other key topics discussed were the impacts of El Niño and other extreme weather changes in major rice-producing regions, the decline in rice markets, and the unusually high global food stocks, particularly in rice, which are nearly at historical highs.