Agriportal Advocates Philippines and SEARCA MOU Signing Jan 17, 2023
On a historic January 17th, 2023, AgriPortal Advocates Philippines, Inc and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) came together in a momentous occasion at SEARCA’s headquarters in UP Los Banos Laguna. The event was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two organizations, headed by Chairman of AgriPortal Advocates Philippines Inc. Dr. Junifen F. Gauuan and Director of SEARCA, Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio.
From Left to Right:
Deputy Director for Administration for SEARCA Dr. Joselito G. Florendo
Director of SEARCA Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio
Chairman of AgriPortal Advocates Philippines Inc. Dr. Junifen F. Gauuan
President & Managing Director of AgriPortal Dr. David Allen Uy
SEARCA, a specialist institution of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), was founded in 1965 with the mission to promote cooperation in education, science, and culture in Southeast Asia. Its objectives include providing high-quality graduate study in agriculture, promoting and coordinating research programs related to the needs and problems of the Southeast Asian region, and disseminating the findings of agricultural research and experimentation.
This partnership between AgriPortal and SEARCA is a match made in heaven, as their objectives align and complement each other. This collaboration will not only benefit members and stakeholders of AgriPortal, but also the communities and farmers of the Philippines.
The partnership’s initial focus projects include the Bahay Kubo Project, aimed at promoting and disseminating planting and gardening of “Bahay Kubo” seeds to K-12 students throughout the Philippines in coordination with the Department of Education. The Bahay Kubo Project is an initiative that aims to educate the youth on the importance of sustainable agriculture, and how they can contribute to it through simple actions such as gardening and planting in the home and school.
This project is a timely one as the Philippines, like many other countries, is facing a food security crisis. Climate change, urbanization, and population growth are putting pressure on the country’s agricultural sector, and it’s crucial that we start educating the next generation on sustainable agriculture. The Bahay Kubo Project is a step towards this goal, and will be a collaborative effort between AgriPortal, SEARCA, and the Department of Education.
Another focus project of the partnership is the webinars and webinar series for Sustainable Agriculture and Agriculture Enterprises. The webinars will initially cater to Overseas Workers and will be supported and in coordination with Kabayan Partylist and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, headed by Rep. Ron Salo and Sec. Arnell Ignacio, respectively. These webinars aim to provide education and training to overseas workers on sustainable agriculture and how they can contribute to it, even while they’re abroad and their families who are here in the Philippines.
The sustainable agriculture sector is a vital one, not just for the Philippines but for the entire world. It’s a sector that not only addresses food security but also addresses the issues of climate change and environmental degradation. And by providing education and training to overseas workers, we’re not just addressing the needs of the Philippines but also the needs of other countries where these workers are based.
We welcome this partnership with open arms and look forward to a fruitful, productive collaboration. Surely, quoting them, ” this is a match made in Heaven!”
To learn more about SEARCA, visit their website at https://www.searca.org/
In conclusion, the partnership between AgriPortal Advocates Philippines and SEARCA is a vital one that addresses the needs and concerns of the Philippines’ agricultural sector. By working together, the two organizations can make a significant impact on the lives of Filipino farmers and communities. This partnership marks a new chapter in the history of agriculture in the Philippines, and we are excited to see the results of this collaboration in the years to come.
