SEARCA News

The Philippines possesses a competitive advantage among Asian countries in growing cacao due to its geographic location, optimum climatic condition for growth and development, and its proximity to markets. Despite being the first in Asia to plant the crop, the Philippines is a net importer of cacao. Given this, the Department of Agriculture (DA) conducted initiatives to encourage local farmers to boost their production. In the CALABARZON Region, the DA-Quezon Agricultural Research and Experiment Station (QARES) conducted an agribusiness development project funded by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) which aimed to develop the technology for propagating cacao… Read more

Cashew is a commodity that has been marketed primarily for its nuts. The province of Palawan in the Philippines is known as the top cashew-producing province where 90% of the total supply is being produced. In fact, with the abundance of the fruit, cashew has been regarded as Palawan's One Town, One Product (OTOP). However, cashew farmers are experiencing low-income return, which was partly attributed to the underutilization of the cashew apple's flesh, which is 90 percent of the entire fruit. This is mainly attributed to the insufficient knowledge of its processing potential. The Western Philippines University realized the need… Read more

The Ilocos Region is the largest garlic-producing region in the Philippines, contributing more than 65% to the country's total production. It has the best comparative advantage in garlic production because of its agroclimatic suitability. However, the region experienced a decline not just in volume of production but also in the area planted and harvested for garlic. The downward trend in productivity may be attributed to low-yielding varieties and high postharvest losses. In addition, the garlic farmers in the region shifted to other high-value crops as a result of low pricing due to a very stiff competition with imported garlic. In… Read more

Cambodia and Malaysia have recently appointed the new Country Representatives to the SEARCA Governing Board (GB). The GB is SEARCA's highest policymaking body. It is composed of representatives from each of the 11 member countries of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) who are nominated by their respective Ministers of Education and appointed by the SEAMEO Council President. The new SEARCA GB members are Mr. Ty Channa, Director, Department of Personnel and Human Resource Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Cambodia, and Prof. Dato' Dr. Zulkifli Idrus, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Their appointment is for… Read more

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-funded project Agricultural Transformation and Market Integration in the ASEAN Region: Responding to Food Security and Inclusiveness Concerns, or ATMI-ASEAN, conducted series of virtual meetings to discuss the national road mapping exercise as part of its technical assistance on planning and policy development. This activity has been seriously delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To start, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) through Dr. Pedcris M. Orencio and Ms. Bernice Anne C. Darvin, Program Head and Program Specialist, respectively, of the Research and Thought Leadership Department (RTLD)… Read more

The 2020 edition of the annual photo contest launched by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) is in search of striking images of agricultural innovation in Southeast Asia. The SEARCA Photo Contest is open to all nationals of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. "We are looking for beautiful images that show people taking part in activities that contribute to food and nutrition security, sustainable farming systems and natural resource management, agribusiness for increased productivity and income, enhanced agricultural and rural development (ARD) towards… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) fabricated 18 units of pedal-controlled faucets as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eight units were created for the SEARCA Headquarters and SEARCA Residence Hotel (SRH) and SRH Annex, while 10 units were intended for donation to the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Barangay Batong Malake, Maahas Elementary School, and other schools and institutions located in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. UPLB, as the first recipient, received three units last 10 August 2020 in front of the UPLB Library… Read more

As COVID-19 poses a great challenge to the Philippine economy and in the Southeast Asian region, the essence of reshaping agricultural research and development was shared by Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), at the CEM Webinar Series held on 13 August 2020 via Zoom. The webinar series was part of the founding anniversary celebration of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)-College of Economics and Management (UPLB-CEM) with the theme "CEM 2020: Building Economic Resilience in the Time of COVID-19." As part of the celebration… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) conducted its 15th SEARCA Online Learning and Virtual Engagement (SOLVE) webinar on "Youth Disengagement in Agriculture: Southeast Asian Youth Champions in Action" on 19 August 2020 via Zoom and Facebook. This online platform is the final installment of the SOLVE webinar series on youth in agricultural and rural development (ARD) in August 2020. The first installment highlighted the challenges and opportunities for the young, while the second installment tackled agricultural underpinnings on youth empowerment. As a culmination of this month's theme, the third online discussion invited youth… Read more

Undernourishment and malnutrition have been a long prevailing problem in the Philippines affecting millions of its population. Several technologies were developed to help address these problems. Malunggay (Moringa oleifera)—one of the featured commodities in a Technology and Investment Profiles monograph series published by Southeast Asian Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)—showcased high potential in combating malnutrition and hunger. Its use and consumption has been promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a low-cost health enhancer in poor countries around the globe. To address the inadequacy of quality food intake among children, especially in areas suffering from… Read more