SEARCA News

The persisting COVID-19 pandemic, the economic impact of the war in Ukraine, and the intensifying effects of climate change that threaten sustainable food systems around the world bring into sharp focus the need for emerging technologies and innovations that can transform agricultural production and ensure food security for the next generation.   For its 16th year, the annual photo contest launched by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) zooms in on "Emerging Agricultural Innovations for the Next Generation." The competition is open to Filipinos and nationals of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in partnership with  the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-Philippines and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), will organize the High-Level Policy Forum on Rural Transformation in the Philippines: Pathways, Policies, and Prospects on 8-9 September 2022. The forum will be conducted in hybrid format via Zoom and at Luxent Hotel, Quezon City. This activity aims to convene stakeholders from relevant Philippine government agencies, representatives from development and research organizations and think tanks, civil society and farmers organizations, the academe, and the private sector to tackle… Read more

Dr. Remy Bitoun, Tech Transfer Head, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 30 August 2022. He was received by Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, SEARCA Director; Ms. Corinta C. Guerta, Technical Advisor to the Director; Asst. Prof. Glenn N. Baticados, Program Head, Emerging Innovation for Growth Department (EIGD); and Ms. Leah Lyn D. Domingo, Public Relations Specialist and Officer-in-Charge, Partnerships Unit (PU). Dr. Bitoun emphasized the importance of partnerships between IRRI and private sector companies to leverage intellectual property innovations. He looks forward to collaborating with SEARCA… Read more

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia – The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in partnership with the Universiti Putra Malaysia – Halal Products Research Institute (UPM-HPRI), will conduct the Regional Training-Workshop on Halal Slaughtering and Certification on 23-25 August 2022 at The Everly Hotel, Putrajaya, Malaysia. The training-workshop aims to enhance the capacities of Halal professionals, practitioners, policymakers, and other key players and stakeholders on Halal slaughtering and certification as well as to increase the exchange of knowledge and information and to explore potential collaborations for further development of the Halal industry in the ASEAN region. This… Read more

In celebration of the International Youth Day with the theme, “Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages”, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) unveiled the SEARCA Hub for Agriculture and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation (SHARING) on 12 August 2022 via blended mode. The learning facility is annexed to the SEARCA headquarters located on the campus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), the Center’s host institution since its inception in 1966. The grand launch was graced by His Excellency José Gaspar dos Reis Correia Piedade, Ambassador of Timor… Read more

SEARCA commended the 24 Full MS and PhD SEARCA scholars and 10 PhD Research scholars, who completed their graduate studies in Fiscal Year 2021-2022 through a Testimonial Ceremony held last 4 August 2022 on blended mode. Twelve scholars together with their families attended the event at the SEARCA Headquarters and the rest of the graduates joined via Zoom platform. Out of the 24 full scholars, 8 were supported by SEARCA’s collaboration with the German Academic Exchange Service or DAAD; Nagoya University, Japan; and the Philippine Carabao Center. In her welcome message, Dr. Maria Cristeta N. Cuaresma, Senior Program Head for Education and… Read more

SEARCA, through the Education and Collective Learning Department (ECLD), organized the 2022 Basic English Course for Scholars via Zoom from July 5-13, 2022 and face-to-face lessons at the SEARCA Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna from July 21 – August 2, 2022. The course aims to enhance the scholars’ English proficiency and encourage them to be more comfortable in using the language in preparation for their studies. Offered annually by SEARCA, the course also contributes to building the capacity of individual scholars and their home institutions as part of Accelerating Transformation through Agricultural Innovation (ATTAIN).   Sixteen participants across nine different… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), through the Emerging Innovation for Growth Department (EIGD), collaborated with FELTA Multi-Media Inc., National University - Laguna, Department of Trade and Industry - Laguna, and Infor, held the 1st Laguna Robot LEGOlympics 2022 at SEARCA on 15 July 2022. This is the first on-site LEGOlympics held with participants from different schools in Laguna, Metro Manila, and Olongapo. The competition, with the theme "Farmers' Friend", brought together 70 students and coaches to challenge the intellectual skills and critical thinking of elementary and high school students in the field of… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), conducted interviews among coconut stakeholders and associations in the Quezon Coconut Research & Extension Center (CocoQuest) in Catanauan, Quezon, last 20-24 July 2022. At least 10 respondents from each six different coconut-based associations namely, San Antonio Pala Virgin Coconut Association (SAP-VCOA), San Antonio Pala Lambanog Producers Association (SAP-LPA), San Antonio Pala Coconut Sugar Producer Association (SAP-CSPA), and San Antonio Pala Buko Juice Producer Association (SAP-BJPA) were interviewed. Ms. Blanquita R. Pantoja, Technical Coordinator and University Researcher… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) have renewed their partnership to collaborate on a number of activities including joint research, capacity building activities, and knowledge and information exchange that shall benefit both learners and educators in the Philippines. The two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for institutional cooperation during the Strategic Planning Workshop of the DepEd-Bureau of Learner Support Services (BLSS) held on 29 June 2022 in Tanza, Cavite, Philippines. “We acknowledge the important role of DepEd in the country in promoting agriculture among… Read more