Nation

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO EXPERTS of a regional think tank hosted by the Philippine government said it sees that higher education institutions (HEIs) can further reorient their research and development from a business perspective toward a systemic change of the agriculture sector. Dr. Glenn Gregorio and Dr. Rico Ancog of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) said the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has underscored the connections between supply chains and consumption patterns, and the urgent need to redefine agricultural systems as food systems. They said a systemic view of agricultural food systems is imperative for the needed transformation, which should stem right from the hallowed halls of universities and college...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO LOS BAÑOS, Laguna (August 20)—Director Glenn Gregorio of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) was appointed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) as chairman of its Technical Panel for Agriculture (TPA) to lead reforms in the agriculture curriculum. Gregorio said he welcomes the challenge to lead efforts in reforming the agriculture curriculum in the country’s higher education institutions (HEIs) to make it more relevant to the present and future job markets in the Philippines and abroad. “As agriculture remains a major engine of economic development in most Southeast Asian countries, HEIs are in a strategic position to pursue projects and initiatives related to food and nutrition security and the...

THE VALLEY JOURNAL LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on Wednesday kicked off its special program on youth called “Young Forces for Agricultural Innovation” or #Y4AGRI on International Youth Day to bring more youth in agricultural and rural development. Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, SEARCA Director has introduced the #Y4AGRI program during the SEARCA Online Learning and Virtual Engagement webinar on “SOLVE Youth Disengagement in Agriculture: Empowering Future Leaders in Southeast Asia” which featured youth leaders from the Philippines, Latin America and Africa. Gregorio said to show their commitment for the younger generations, their strategic plan for the next five years puts value on youth engagement in agricul...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—To bring more young people to agricultural and rural development, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) launched a special program called Young Forces for Agricultural Innovation or #Y4AGRI on International Youth Day, August 12. The #Y4AGRI program was introduced by Searca Director Glenn Gregorio during the Searca Online Learning and Virtual Engagement (SOLVE) webinar called “SOLVE Youth Disengagement in Agriculture: Empowering Future Leaders in Southeast Asia” that featured youth leaders from the Philippines, Latin America and Africa. “To show our commitment [to] the younger generations, our strategic plan for the next five years puts value on youth engagement in agricultural and rural ...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO LOS BAÑOS, Laguna (August 9)—The Philippine government-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) is set to support the coconut industry development plan of Quezon Province in the areas of value addition to coconut products, linkages of farmers to the market and farmers’ organization. Searca Director Glenn Gregorio said the group is collaborating with the Quezon provincial government to achieve its vision of “a market-driven coconut industry with empowered and resilient farmers, engaging in profitable coconut-based enterprises, contributing to inclusive and sustainable agricultural development.” Pedcris Orencio, Searca program head for Research and Thought Leadership, said the Office of the Provincial Agric...