SEARCA News

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

Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) met with its key partners in Oriental Mindoro last 13 -14 July 2022 to discuss collaborative activities in support of the province’s calamansi industry. The SEARCA team was composed of Dr. Pedcris M. Orencio, Program Head; Ms. Bernice Anne D. De Torres and Ms. Anna Gale C. Vallez, Program Specialists; and Ms. Pauline D. Gonzales, Program Associate, all of the Research and Thought Leadership Department (RTLD). They were joined by Engr. Luther John Manuel, Software Developer and Assistant Professor from the University of the… Read more

Seed plays a key role in agriculture, specifically in improving crop production and food security. It can also help in supporting farmers’ livelihood through increased yield and income. However, with the rapid onset of climate change and slow economic development, the food supply of the country is being compromised. Efficient and innovative agricultural solutions is therefore essential for the seed sector to ensure food security. The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) are currently working on a collaborative project to formulate the Seed Industry Development Program (SIDP)… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in partnership with SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV), was commissioned by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to formulate the National Agriculture and Fishery Modernization and Industrialization Plan (NAFMIP) 2021-2030, the 10-year directional plan of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippines. The NAFMIP is anchored on the New Thinking for Agriculture, including its eight paradigms and highlights thrusts to modernize and industrialize the agriculture and fisheries sector It aims to increase the productivity (Masaganang Ani) and double the livable income (Mataas na Kita) of farmers and fisherfolks… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) participated in the first virtual SEAMEO Knowledge Management (KM) Learning and Sharing Forum conducted by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) on 7 July 2022. The forum solicited suggestions for the SEAMEO-wide KM strategic framework that will enable the harmonious and logical flow of information and knowledge co-creation among SEAMEO centers in the Southeast Asian region. “In 2012, the first training workshop on KM was organized by SEARCA to firm up notions of knowledge partnerships and enable SEAMEO units to draw up a joint KM… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Baños (UPLB) will conduct the baseline assessment of the coconut industry in Catanauan, Quezon on 20 to 26 July 2022. This activity is in line with initial agreement between SEARCA and Quezon Province to develop a three-year project on the development of an integrated and vibrant coconut industry in the Province supported by solid partnerships among the local government, farmer associations, private sector industry players, research organizations, as well as other institutions of higher learning. This week-long activity will… Read more

Busuanga, Palawan – The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), through its School-plus-Home Gardens Project (S+HGP), will organize a three-day training-workshop on vegetable production at Salvacion National High School, Busuanga, Palawan from 19 to 21 July 2022.  This is in line with the project’s commitment to build the capacities of agricultural extension workers in local government units (LGUs) of and educators from Busuanga and Coron, Palawan in providing technical assistance on crop production and improving soil productivity in the school gardening activities of target schools. At least 30 school heads, Gulayan sa Paaralan (GPP)… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA, Philippines – The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and Cambodia’s Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) continue its collaboration in the development of an internal quality assurance (IQA) system for RUA. The partnership agreement, which began in September 2020, entails SEARCA’s assistance in establishing a broad-based technical cooperation for the development of an IQA mentoring program for RUA. Specifically, the partnership provides technical support for the following: a) design of IQA strategy and standards for RUA and development of IQA manual; b) development and dissemination of self-assessment report (SAR) findings; c)… Read more

Laguna, Philippines - The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) met with the Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO) and the Municipal Nutrition Office (MNO) of Los Baños on 12 July 2022 to discuss the project on coping strategies to ensure food security among urban households during Covid-19. The project is being implemented by SEARCA in the Philippines, with Los Baños, Laguna as the representative site. This project is in collaboration with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Regional Center for Food and Nutrition (SEAMEO-RECFON) and Regional Centre for Tropical Biology of SEAMEO (BIOTROP)… Read more