A South East Asian (SEA) think tank had offered to link the government to its vast SEA network that aims to improve agricultural techniques in the country.
According to Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Executive Dir. Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit, their knack for agricultural research can play a pivotal role in Philippines’ agricultural programs especially as it enters into the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) era.
“We have noted that President Duterte‘s 8-point agenda places strong emphasis on agricultural development. Over many years, we have been providing technical assistance to national government agencies to promote agricultural and rural development,” said Saguiguit Jr.
SEACA recently hosted the consultation of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Pinol with farmers at the University of the Philippines in Los Banos and talked about superior rice technologies.
The SEARCA has offered to Piñol its technical expertise in agricultural development research.
Saguiguit told Piñol SEARCA’s research on rice smuggling could be tapped by the DA to solve smuggling problems that have subjected Filipino farmers to poverty.