Southeast Asian center intensifies development support to Laguna province

By SEARCA October 31, 2020 SEARCA building. (Photo from www.searca.org) ...

By SEARCA
October 31, 2020

SEARCA building. (Photo from www.searca.org)

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna - The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has formalized its ties with the Provincial Government of Laguna (PGL) this month to jointly pursue capacity development activities and exchange knowledge resources, including publications.

Laguna Governor Ramil L. Hernandez said SEARCA’s focus on scientific inquiry, agricultural extension, and rural development is vital to Laguna’s growth and development.



“We believe that SEARCA has the technical knowledge and skills to address the plight of our community. The Provincial Government of Laguna is willing to participate,” he said.

This was affirmed by Congresswoman Ruth Mariano Hernandez of the Second District of Laguna, who said “we are looking forward for an open-collaboration to help our farming communities here in Laguna to add yield on their crops especially with your research on rice fortified with iron and zinc.”



SEARCA Director Glenn B. Gregorio said the partnership with the Province of Laguna is an essential move to help the farmers and farming communities in the province.

Moreover, SEARCA also began a community gardens project in Los Baños, Laguna to help flower farmers in Brgy. Bayog, a major aster-growing area, to shift to growing good-quality food for their consumption and as an alternative source of income now that there is little demand for aster because of the COVID-19 pandemic.



In a launch event attended by Los Baños government officials led by Mayor Cesar Perez, SEARCA turned over seeds, fertilizer, and other farm inputs to Marcelino Aragon, Gerardo Banasihan, and Salvador Tordacilla, the three aster farmers involved in the project.

“As a post-crisis strategy, the project will be piloted on three farm lots sized 3,800 sq.m., 2,800 sq.m., and 2,000 sq.m. with a grant provided through the SEARCA Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions (GRAINS),” said Dr. Rico C. Ancog, SEARCA Emerging Innovation for Growth program lead.

“SEARCA will also provide technical support in terms of land and site preparation, planning the community garden design, and setting up and monitoring of the community garden,” Dr. Ancog said. (PIA-4A/SEARCA)