by SEARCA January 26, 2021 Coconut trees LOS BAÑOS, Laguna - The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agricult...
January 26, 2021
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| Coconut trees |
LOS BAÑOS, Laguna - The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Provincial Government of Quezon (PG Quezon) have committed to developing a project on the coconut industry growth areas in Quezon province through formal agreements signed last January 18.
“SEARCA’s priority is to extend its expertise to its neighboring communities in Region IV-A,” SEARCA Director Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio stressed.
He said that this partnership between SEARCA and PG Quezon is an expansion of an alliance that was started in 1985, with a parallel objective of linking the farmers to modern networks and innovative markets.
To develop enterprises and the capabilities of Quezon farmers through agricultural innovation, Dr. Gregorio said PG Quezon and SEARCA have agreed to collaborate on product development, strengthening of market linkages, and capacity building of farmer organizations.
Dr. Pedcris M. Orencio, SEARCA program head for Research and Thought Leadership, said these collaborative activities will be carried out using SEARCA’s agricultural and rural development (ARD) model.
He explained that at the heart of SEARCA’s ARD model are participatory development approaches and sustainability strategies that strengthen farmer organizations while linking them with national and international organizations, academe, and local government units for technical and material support. These touchstones of the SEARCA ARD model are detailed in SEARCA’s “SEED: Scaling and Expanding for Effective Development” guidebook, which captures the lessons and results of piloting effective models of inclusive and sustainable ARD.
“SEARCA is keen to help PG Quezon realize 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,’” Dr. Gregorio said.
Dr. Orencio underscored that SEARCA can complement the program through interventions that will lead to agricultural systems transformation and increase the level of agricultural investments. He also stressed the importance of Academe-Industry-Government (AIG) interconnectivity in the project design.
Governor Danilo E. Suarez affirmed the value of the partnership between PG Quezon and SEARCA to establish an inclusive and sustainable ARD system in the province. He commended SEARCA’s aim to contribute to the country’s food and nutrition security and poverty reduction.
He also shared PG Quezon’s agricultural programs to help improve the socioeconomic condition of the farmers, fisherfolks, and rural communities. These include farm mechanization, enterprise development, and marketing.
Gov. Suarez expressed his intent to further solidify the status of Quezon province as a top producer of agriculture and fishery commodities and become known as the “food basket” in the region. He said this is where SEARCA can be of best assistance, with its knowledge and expertise on extensive research.
Dr. Orencio said SEARCA and PG Quezon will conduct a scoping of the coconut industry growth areas in the province together with the stakeholders to establish their project’s baseline. (SEARCA)
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