As a follow-up to the first SAADP Series workshop meeting in Bangkok in February 2013, where the authors agreed on a common framework and specific strategy for developing the 2nd Edition SAADP Series, the workshop discussed the major findings of the respective country volumes. Common issues, challenges, and opportunities were identified and lessons were drawn from each country’s experiences in developing the country reports. Specific recommendations and strategies for addressing the issues were also offered.
The result of the workshop will serve as input to the development of an integrated volume of the second edition of the SAADP series, which will focus more on cross-cutting agricultural and rural development issues in the region, such as food security, self-sufficiency, rural poverty, and climate impacts on agriculture, within the context of the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community (AEC 2015). The integrated volume, according to SEARCA Director Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit, Jr., will serve as one of the Center’s modest contributions to AEC 2015.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Saguiguit expressed satisfaction that most of the Primers are now due for final technical review, and one is already being published. Dr. Arsenio M. Balisacan, Philippines Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority, was also in attendance. Dr. Balisacan is the principal author for the Philippines volume of the 2nd SAADP series.
Dr. Geronimo M. Collado, SEARCA Senior Fellow and Agribusiness Strategy and Development Policy consultant, and Dr. Flordeliza A. Lantican, professor and former Dean of the College of Economics and Management at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (CEM-UPLB), and Agricultural Marketing and Price Analysis specialist, served as facilitators and resource persons for the two-day workshop. (Henry Custodio)