The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the University of Computer Sciences Yangon (UCSY) in Myanmar, and University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) have partnered to develop a cloud-based AgPractices&Domains platform.
This project is an integrative system of information and modelling for recommendations on domains of agricultural practices and technologies. It aimed to improve and build the capacity of agriculture researchers in Myanmar and the Philippines in using data from different sources to target integrated pest and disease management options through the use of the platform.
The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) funded and promoted the said platform as it aligns with its purpose to lead in developing agricultural technologies and creating solutions to overcome global environmental issues through higher education and research excellence. Meanwhile, UPLB and UCSY were involved as a result of their institution's life-long commitment to enhancing the value proposition of agriculture and technological innovation in their respective countries.
The platform targets to reach at least 50 direct users and potential trainers who will support a network of users in their respective institutes, and around 200 users accessing the technology. Researchers and students will be engaged through workshops and webinars on data modelling, data analytics tools, and on the use of AgPractices&Domains platform. One of the upcoming workshops related to the platform is titled "Learning workshop for Agricultural Practices and Domains Platform," which will commence in March 2021.
Other planned programs and activities are kick-off workshops on data collection and management, training on data analytics and modelling for initial target users, development of web application for pest and risk evaluation, consultation webinar for the tool applications and use, a series of AgPractices&Domains Platform's workshops and training programs, and teleconference-workshop on platform's learning and evaluation reporting.
Aligned with SEARCA's 11th Five-Year Plan (2020-2025), this joint project is part of the Agri-Business Models for Increased Productivity and Income and Sustainable Farming Systems and Natural Resource Management priority areas. Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, SEARCA Director reiterated that "the Center's mission and vision of empowering institutions and championing partnerships towards ARD in Southeast Asia through education and collective learning, research and thought leadership, and emerging innovations and growth are timely, given the current conditions in the Southeast Asian region. Collaborative, inclusive, and well-communicated growth and development process can make these possible."