A research group has recently offered to the government its technical expertise on agricultural research and development, as support in achieving its goals on the government’s 10-point economic agenda, Business World reported.
“Over many years, we have been providing technical assistance to national government agencies to promote agricultural and rural development,” said Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Executive Director, Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit Jr. in a statement sent to reporters.
Mr. Saguiguit’s statement was sent as a proposal to DA chief Emmanuel F. Piñol, who is given the task to implement the key agricultural aspects of the economic agenda.
SEARCA is a Southeast Asian organization of 11 members of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO).
SEARCA has come up with a five-year plan from 2014 to 2019 concentrating on inclusive and sustainable agricultural and rural development.
Currently, SEARCA’s other study programs in the Philippines consist of a community-based nutrition program that looks into the formation of school gardens that will deliver diverse vegetables to local communities and diminish food expenses, and offer alternate income sources for households.