SEARCA News

Los Baños, LAGUNA – SEARCA scholars based at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) conducted fund raising activities and a donation drive facilitated by the SEARCA Scholars Association (SSA) to help those greatly affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). The ECQ which started on 17 March and will last until 30 April 2020 saw UPLB students stranded in their dormitories with dwindling resources. The scholars donated part of their monthly stipend to Task Force CURE, University Housing Office (UHO) and Oplan Kawingan of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) in UPLB. These organizations have been providing food… Read more

The report of the Forum on Organic and Inorganic Farming, which contains the forum’s full proceedings, is now available for free download at the SEARCA website (https://www.searca.org/pubs/proceeding-workshop-reports?pid=460). The forum was organized by the Coalition for Agriculture Modernization in the Philippines, Inc. (CAMP), in partnership with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), and the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). The forum was held on 14 October 2019 at SEARCA. The report highlights the… Read more

The Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC) member universities improved their ranking in the 2020 QS World University Rankings (WUR) by Subject on Agriculture and Forestry. University of British Columbia (UBC), University of Gottingen, Kasetsart University (KU), Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB), and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) all placed in the top 100 with UBC taking the 14th rank and University of Gottingen placing in 21st worldwide. National Taiwan University (NTU) ranked in the 101-150th place while Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and University of the Philippines (UP) placed in the 151-200th. Universitas Brawijaya (UB)… Read more

Los Banos, Laguna – National Taiwan University (NTU) and SEARCA collaborated for the offering of a joint scholarship for the Master Program in Global Agriculture Technology and Genomic Science (ATGS). The Global ATGS is offered by the International College of NTU for its students to gain deeper understanding on smart farming technology, genome science research, and breeding science and technology. The NTU-SEARCA Joint Scholarship Program for Global ATGS aims to cultivate agricultural professional talents, encourage academic excellence, and promote the research and development of agriculture within Southeast Asia. The program also provides an opportunity for internship and field visits in… Read more

The 2020 Elsevier Research Intelligence on Evidence-Based Policymaking in Indonesia named three members of the UC as top publishers of scientific articles on oil palm research. Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB) ranked 1st with 69 articles published, followed by University of Goettingen which ranked 2nd with 42 articles and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in 3rd with 24 articles. The three universities conducted wide range of research on oil palm covering topics in sustainability, biodiversity, socioeconomics, and the environment. For both IPB and UPM, the oil palm industry is vital in their country's economy and plays a huge part of their export… Read more

Engr. Ruel M. Mojica, SEARCA Alumnus, was awarded the Manila Water Foundation (MWF) Prize for Engineering Excellence for his invention: Bravura, a microcontroller-based roasting machine to increase the financial viability of low-income coffee farmers and cooperatives. MWF is the sole recognizing body in the country that pays tribute to engineers who have made a difference in the lives of the Filipino through their inventions that tackle development issues in the environment, water, sanitation, and sustainability. The Bravura Coffee Roasting Machine is the cheapest known vertical coffee roasting machine which was constructed in partnership with a local manufacturer. The machine is… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna – 25 graduate students attended the Training on Writing Thesis and Dissertation Proposals jointly organized by SEARCA and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). The three-day training was conducted by Dr. Evelyn Mae T. Mendoza, UPLB Professor Emeritus from the College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) and National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Academician, Dr. Pamela A. Custodio, Assistant Professor from the College of Development Communication (CDC) and Dr. Rico C. Ancog, Professor from the School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM)… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA, Philippines - Driving innovative technologies and opportunities towards achieving greater regional agricultural sustainability brings the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) to the fore in exploring the concept of circular economy as a business innovation  for resource efficiency in the agricultural sector. To mainstream the promising potential of circular thinking, SEARCA gathered 46 executives, heads, and trainers from agencies and organizations in the Los Baños Science Community (LBSC), including the Center’s heads and selected staff, in a Training Course on Circular Economy in Agriculture on 3-4 March 2020 at the SEARCA… Read more

Fully committed to continuing the delivery of credible, science-based information on agricultural biotechnology for Southeast Asia, ISAAA and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) renewed their 20-year partnership for the Philippine’s Biotechnology Information Center (BIC) through a Memorandum of Agreement signed on 21 February 2020. “Researchers have developed a lot of technologies aimed at boosting farm productivity, meeting the challenges in food security, and improving lives of farmers. The use of biotech crops is one solution that science offers us. SEARCA stands by its long commitment to help farmers understand the science and enable… Read more

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Five young professionals advocating for sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation took center stage during the SEARCA-hosted Youth, Agriculture, and the Environment Session of the 3rd Philippine Environment Summit on 27 February 2020 in this city. The session featured by-the-youth and for-the-youth initiatives that promote sustainable agriculture practices, environmental protection, and the circular economy. The speakers were Louise Mabulo, Founder of The Cacao Project and UNEP's Young Champion of the Earth; Cherrys Abrigo, Founder of Sierreza Café; Enzo Pinga, Business Development and Partnerships Head of IISLA Ventures; Rein Hillary Carrascal, Beauty Queen and Ambassador of Hapi… Read more