SEARCA in the News

IN strengthening the rice supply chain, Director Glenn Gregorio of the Philippine government-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) said the center "embraces sustainability and technology to transform the rice supply chain toward greater resilience and transparency." Gregorio served as a panel discussant during the "Sustainability and Technology in the Rice Supply Chain" session of the 2024 International World Rice Conference (IWRC) Summit held on Nov. 5 to 7 at the Conrad Hotel Manila in Pasay City. "By integrating sustainable practices and advanced technology, stakeholders can better navigate climate impacts, secure food supply and… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has officially opened its 18th annual photo contest and invites photographers across Southeast Asia to capture compelling images related to the theme "The Future of Farming: Pathways to Carbon-Neutral Agriculture." Launched on 18 November 2024, this year's edition of the competition seeks photographs that showcase innovative and sustainable agricultural practices in the Southeast Asia. "SEARCA is looking for impactful images that demonstrate practical solutions to the challenges faced by farmers in Southeast Asia while promoting environmental responsibility and sustainable farming methods," said Dr. Glenn Gregorio, SEARCA Center… Read more

A recent conference organised by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), highlighted the importance of community involvement and inter-sectoral collaboration in addressing food security and sustainable agricultural development in the Philippines. Held under the theme "Agricultural Development for Food Security: Addressing Challenges to Technological Transformation, Sustainability, and Good Governance", the event gathered experts to discuss strategies for overcoming challenges in agriculture. The conference included two parallel sessions focusing on financial access… Read more

As a major developing economy grappling with surging rice prices, the Philippines faces mounting challenges in securing access to affordable, nutritious food from indigenous sources amid shrinking farms. While easing rice prices in the domestic market, the rice tariffication law firmed up the country's dependence on imported grains. The law slashed tariffs on the staple food from 35 percent to 15 percent through 2028 to ease the country's inflation woes. Players in the agriculture sector said the law has benefitted, thus far, foreign producers such as Vietnam and leaves Filipino farmers struggling to compete. Rice makes up nine percent of… Read more

Welcome, dear readers, to a delightful harvest of information about the rice supply chain! Grab your forks and knives—or wait, perhaps just your minds—because we're diving into some meaty topics that would make any farmer proud (or maybe bewildered). According to Director Glenn Gregorio from the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, aka Searca (try saying that three times fast), the future of rice is looking greener, more tech-savvy, and quite the mouthful of a journey! During the "Sustainability and Technology in the Rice Supply Chain" session at the 2024 International World Rice Conference, Gregorio… Read more

Director Glenn Gregorio from the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) spoke about improving the rice supply chain. He emphasized the importance of sustainability and technology. His comments came during the "Sustainability and Technology in the Rice Supply Chain" session at the 2024 International World Rice Conference (IWRC) Summit. This event was held from November 5 to 7 at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City, Philippines. Gregorio highlighted that these efforts aim to make the rice supply chain more resilient and transparent. The conference provided a platform for discussing challenges and solutions in rice… Read more

フィリピン政府が主催する東南アジア地域農業大学院研究研究センター（SEARCA）のグレン・グレゴリオ所長は、インドでは コメのサプライチェーンを強化しており、同センターは「コメのサプライチェーンをより強靱性と透明性に向けて変革するための持続可能性と技術を取り入れている」と述べた。 」 グレゴリオ氏は、11月5日から7日にパサイ市のコンラッド・ホテル・マニラで開催された2024年国際 米会議（IWRC）サミットの「米サプライチェーンにおける持続可能性と技術」セッションでパネルディスカッションを務めた。… Read more

Experts underscored the critical role of community engagement and inter-sectoral collaboration in achieving food security and sustainable agricultural development during a recent conference hosted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). They also called for better alignment of budgets and greater access to financial and social services for farmers. Held under the theme, "Agricultural Development for Food Security: Addressing Challenges to Technological Transformation, Sustainability, and Good Governance," the conference gathered experts to explore strategies that can address pressing challenges in agriculture. PIDS organized the event in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Southeast Asian Regional Centre for… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) is celebrating the 20th year of the Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD) with a seminar series by authors of its anniversary issue. Published by SEARCA twice a year, AJAD is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes original research articles, review articles, and policy briefs on various topics related to agriculture and rural development in Southeast Asia. Themed "Asian Agriculture and Development in a Dynamic and Volatile Landscape of Demands, Peoples, and Risks," AJAD's 20th anniversary issue features eight papers by prominent international… Read more

IN the academic world, the late Gelia Castillo is considered the "queen" of rural sociology. Her extensive work on analyzing the dynamics of rural society made a lasting impact on our knowledge of rural folk. In agricultural economics, the uncontested guru in the country is Cristina David. Her insightful analyses of how the process of agricultural development is triggered and promoted have enriched our knowledge of the Philippine agricultural economy. I am lucky, proud and privileged, together with my wife, Lourdes, to have been mentored by these two great women of UP Los Baños early in our careers. But we… Read more