SEARCA consults stakeholders, poised to establish agri research consortium

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), successfully concluded the two-day Regional Stakeholders Consultation Workshop for the Consortium for Agricultural Development, Research, and Extension in Southeast Asia (CADRE).

Held on 20–21 June 2024 at the SEARCA headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, and livestreamed through Zoom, the event gathered over a hundred stakeholders from Southeast Asia (SEA) to discuss establishing CADRE. It is a network of high-caliber, like-minded institutions with a unified goal of driving agricultural transformation toward sustainable and inclusive development in SEA. The participants were representing the government, academe, industry and private sector, farmers and civil society organizations, research institutions, and development partners.

The workshop gathered inputs and recommendations from CADRE's potential members and partners, focusing on establishing its operational strategies and activities, identifying its overall research agenda, and developing its theory of change and impact pathways.

In welcoming the stakeholders, Dr. Nur Azura Binti Adam, SEARCA Deputy Director for Programs, highlighted CADRE's commitment to research and knowledge extension. She reiterated the workshop's objectives and encouraged active participation during the workshop.

Datuk Dr. Habibah Abdul Rahim, Director of the Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Secretariat, emphasized the critical role of agriculture in poverty alleviation and food security. Citing the challenges of climate change, demographic shifts, and malnutrition, Dr. Habibah underscored the need for regional initiatives to complement global efforts in achieving sustainable development goals.

On behalf of Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Head of the Food, Agriculture, and Forestry Division of the ASEAN Secretariat, Dr. Pedcris M. Orencio, Senior Officer, weighed in on the importance of research and development (R&D) to address challenges and help formulate recommendations for a resilient agriculture sector. He noted that collaborative efforts will help R&D outputs align with the ASEAN economic community's vision for SEA to be a key player in integrated global food systems.

Ms. Bernice Anne D. De Torres, Program Specialist of SEARCA's Research and Thought Leadership Department (RTLD) and CADRE's lead coordinator, presented an overview of the consultation workshop, its purpose, and the intended outputs needed to prepare the consortium for its pilot operations.

Professor Paul S. Teng of the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, presented comprehensively the role of research, development, and extension in agricultural transformation. He emphasized the need for regional collaboration to address pressing issues impacting the SEA agriculture landscape.

Dr. Gerlie T. Tatlonghari, RTLD Program Head, outlined the consortium's framework, highlighting research, policy development, knowledge management, capacity building, and partnerships. Mentioning that CADRE is poised as a regional think tank, she stressed the significance of cross-sectoral collaboration to provide research and extension support to address pressing and critical issues faced by the SEA agriculture sector.

Dr. Roehlano M. Briones, Senior Research Fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, facilitated a panel discussion on the current research gaps and priorities in SEA's agriculture sector. The panel was composed of Dr. Orencio of the ASEAN Secretariat (government perspectives); Dr. Kamaleswaran Jayarajah of the SEAMEO Secretariat (academe); Dr. Tan Siang Hee of CropLife Asia (industry insights); and Ms. Ma. Estrella Penunia from the Asian Farmers' Association for Sustainable Rural Development (farmers and civil society lens). Development partners included Dr. Bo Zhou of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Ms. Chrissa Marey A. Borja of Grow Asia; while research organizations were represented by Dr. Jongsoo Shin from the International Rice Research Institute and Ms. Delphine Larrousse from the World Vegetable Center.

At the breakout sessions that followed the plenary discussions, workshop 1 focused on identifying critical research gaps and priority issues in the region's agriculture sector. Workshop 2 explored the theory of change and impact pathways for key research topics within the themes crop improvement, crop and crop residue management, digital agriculture, regenerative production systems, human capital development, and nutrition. Workshop 3 concentrated on defining CADRE's activities and programs, aligning them with the consortium's vision and mission and emphasizing five key components: collaborative research, policy and program development, knowledge management, capacity building and technical assistance, and partnerships.

The second panel discussion, which was moderated by Dr. Nur, was led by representatives from the sectors that will play a crucial role in CADRE. The discussants were Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, SEARCA Center Director; Dr. Tin Htut, Deputy Minister of Myanmar's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation; Dr. Warapa Mahakarnchanakul, Director of Kasetsart University's Research and Development Institute; Dr. Ajay Kohli, Deputy Director General for Research, International Rice Research Institute; Mr. Roland Treitler, Project Director, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH; and Dr. Rolf Christian Becker, Global Head of Partnerships - Academic Institutions at Bayer. The discussion revolved around CADRE's operational methods and strategies, potential collaborations, and the key roles of members to ensure resource transparency, accountability, and consortium sustainability.

Dr. Gregorio closed the consultation workshop with optimism about future partnerships and the creation of a regional research consortium through CADRE. He underscored the importance of multistakeholder commitment and collaboration, highlighting its pivotal, transformative role toward a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agriculture sector in SEA.