The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) have renewed their partnership in integrating and mainstreaming biodiversity into agriculture.
ACB executive director Theresa Mundita Lim said the partnership is being continued to further their efforts in mainstreaming biodiversity in agriculture in the region.
“Mainstreaming is important because of the inextricable connection between agriculture and biodiversity. Together, our organizations can work to strike the balance between the two,” she said.
The ACB chief said agrobiodiversity— the variety and variability of animals, plants, and micro-organisms that are used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture— can help address the world’s growing food demand and safeguard the region’s biodiversity.
For his part, SEARCA director Glenn Gregorio said the two organizations have the right ingredients for a long and fruitful partnership.
Signed by Lim and Gregorio, the second Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a continuation of the collaboration in pursuing shared objectives of promoting sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation.
Under the new MoU, ACB and SEARCA will jointly undertake projects and activities covering thematic areas on agriculture and biodiversity, along with capacity enhancement activities and information exchange and awareness campaigns.