The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) mourns the passing of Professor Dr. Vo Tong Xuan, a renowned Vietnamese agricultural expert and the first recipient of SEARCA's prestigious Dioscoro L. Umali Achievement Award. Dr. Xuan died on 19 August 2024 in Ho Chi Minh City at the age of 84.
Dr. Xuan was honored by SEARCA in 2008 for his groundbreaking work in promoting sustainable agriculture, particularly rice production, in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. His innovative approach and contributions, including developing and popularizing the IR36 rice variety in the Mekong Delta, have had a lasting impact on agricultural science and food security in the region.
Born in 1940 in An Giang Province, Vietnam, Dr. Xuan pursued a distinguished academic career, earning his PhD at the University of the Philippines Los Baños under a Rockefeller Foundation study grant. Throughout his career, he was a prolific researcher, author, and educator, contributing significantly to agricultural education and practice both in Vietnam and internationally.
Dr. Xuan's contributions to agricultural science were widely recognized, earning him numerous awards, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1993. He played a crucial role in advancing rice production in Vietnam, particularly in the Mekong Delta, through his expertise in managing problem soils and promoting agricultural diversification. Despite opportunities to work abroad, Dr. Xuan chose to return to Vietnam to champion the cause of rural farmers, advocate for secure land tenure, and train future generations of agricultural scientists. His work has been instrumental in Vietnam's emergence as a leading rice exporter, combining practical scientific research with effective advocacy to enhance the lives of farmers across the nation.
Dr. Xuan was engaged in SEARCA initiatives since 2008. He served on the Advisory Committee of the Southeast Asian Upland Agriculture Fellowships Project funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada and implemented by SEARCA from 2012 to 2017. The project benefitted one PhD and 52 MS scholars from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Dr. Xuan was also a member of the Search Committee for the Outstanding SEARCA Scholar Awards conferred during SEARCA's 50th Founding Anniversary in November 2016.
SEARCA Center Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio expressed his condolences, stating, "Dr. Vo-Tong Xuan's passing is a profound loss to the agricultural community in Southeast Asia. His tireless efforts in promoting sustainable agriculture have left an indelible mark on the region, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations."