A P90-million AgriMuseum project, which will be housed in Los Baños City, Laguna is seen to rise by 2019 to inspire education interests in agriculture and in solving food security threats.
Project proponent Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) is currently seeking private and public agency partners to ensure the completion of the first-of-its-kind museum in the ASEAN region.
"SEARCA is actively inviting partners in the project, including the public and private sector, particularly food or agri-related companies that could contribute to it as part of their corporate social responsibility efforts," SEARCA Director Dr. Gil Saguiguit Jr. said.
It has so far received a P5-million grant from the Bureau of Agricultural Research.
Amid limitations in the quality and number of skilled workers in agriculture, SEARCA sees the AgriMuseum as an innovative approach to promote awareness and draw attention to agriculture.
It will play a role in instilling interest among the youth in helping solve problems on food security, poverty alleviation, and in the development of economies in the region.
"The museum will put on centerstage the history, science-based knowledge and innovations in agriculture, cross-cultural and cross-ecosystem comparisons, current issues and challenges, and envisioned futures of agricultural and food systems in Southeast Asia," Saguiguit said.
The facility, which will be built adjacent to the SEARCA headquarters within the University of the Philippines-Los Baños, is expected to benefit young people, especially students, as well as development practitioners, policy and decision-makers, researchers who require a deeper appreciation of agriculture in national development.