SEARCA in the News

A UK-based agricultural economist and scientists from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) reported that using crop biotechnology has reduced pesticide use associated with environmental impact and has been found to be beneficial for agricultural biodiversity. The experts discussed these during an online technical forum on “Greener Greens: Environmental Impact of Biotech Crops” convened by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) in partnership with the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines, CropLife Asia, Program for Biosafety Systems, International Rice Research Institute, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program Office, UPLB-Institute of… Read more

A UK-based agricultural economist and scientists from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) reported that using crop biotechnology has reduced pesticide use associated with environmental impact and has been found to be beneficial for agricultural biodiversity. The experts discussed these during an online technical forum on “Greener Greens: Environmental Impact of Biotech Crops” convened by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) in partnership with the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines, CropLife Asia, Program for Biosafety Systems, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program Office… Read more

Grants for research on accelerating transformation through agricultural innovation in Southeast Asia with a focus on food security during the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic and social impacts are available to Cambodians as well as nationals of Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. According to a press release of the Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) AKP received this morning, the grants are under the auspices of a Mentorship Programme for Advanced Grants jointly funded by the International Foundation for Science (IFS) and SEARCA. It is the first activity under the agreement… Read more

The use of crop biotechnology has reduced pesticide use associated with environmental impact and is beneficial for agricultural biodiversity, a UK-based agricultural economist and scientists from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) said. During an online technical forum organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Dr. Merdelyn Caasi-Lit and Dr. Ireneo L. Lit, Jr., professors and scientists at UPLB, said that based on their study, biotech crops like Bt corn ensures good yield by protecting the crop against corn borer infestation and reducing farm inputs for pesticide use. They also said… Read more

“Masteral and PhD level researches should be translated into the curriculum and integrated into the curriculum for basic education so that we start off our learners early in their lives on being appreciative of the benefits of agriculture, of protecting our environment, and caring not only for the present but also for the future generations.” This was the call to action of Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones during a virtual event commemorating the 54th anniversary of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) last November 27. Sec. Briones represents the Philippines in… Read more

For young learners to appreciate agriculture and the environment, and learn at a very early stage, graduate-level researches should be integrated into the curriculum of basic education. This was the call to action of Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones during a virtual event commemorating the 54th anniversary of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on November 27. “Masteral (MA) and Ph.D (Doctor of Philosophy) level researches should be translated into the curriculum and integrated into the curriculum for basic education so that we start off our learners early in their lives… Read more

A partnership to assist rural fishermen and smallholder aquaculture farmers was forged between two intergovernmental organizations whose reach extends over Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific. This was formalized in the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Philippine government-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) and the Bangkok-based Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA). Searca Director Glenn Gregorio and NACA Director-General Jie Huang signed the agreement to cooperate on joint projects that are expected to contribute to the development of a strengthened aquaculture sector in the region. Gregorio said Searca and… Read more

TO PROVIDE holistic education to learners, Education Secretary Leonor Briones sought the integration of masteral and doctorate level researches on Agriculture to the basic education curriculum so that students could learn the importance and benefits of agriculture while they are still young. “Masteral and PhD level researches should be translated into the curriculum and integrated into the curriculum for basic education so that we start off our learners early in their lives on being appreciative of the benefits of agriculture, of protecting our environment, and caring not only for the present but also for the future generations,” Briones said during… Read more

PHOTO enthusiasts have until November 30 to submit their entries for the 2020 edition of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) photo competition showcasing agricultural innovation. Held annually since 2006 by the University of the Philippines Los Baños-based Searca, this year’s photo contest theme is “Faces of Accelerating Transformation through Agricultural Innovation.” The competition is open to Filipinos, as well as nationals of other Asean countries plus Timor-Leste. “We are looking for striking images of agricultural innovation,” Searca Director Glenn Gregorio said. He noted that images must show people taking part in activities… Read more

The 2020 edition of a contest for photography enthusiasts by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has set November 39 as the deadline for submission of entries. “Faces of Accelerating Transformation through Agricultural Innovation (ATTAIN)” is the theme of this year’s photo contest, which is held annually since 2006 by the University of the Philippines Los Baños-based SEARCA. The competition is open to Filipinos as well as nationals of other ASEAN countries plus Timor-Leste. SEARCA Director Glenn B. Gregorio said “We are looking for striking images of agricultural innovation showing people taking part… Read more