9 SEA Experts Receive Financial Aid for Promising Researches
Los Banos, Laguna - Nine experts from the Southeast Asian region, including three Filipino scientists, have received funds to jumpstart their promising researches and training program, envisioned to have great impact on agricultural development of the region.
Given during the 41 st anniversary of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) held last November 27, 2007, the Seed Fund for Strategic Research and Training (SFRT) is granted to proposals within the Center’s priority thrust of Natural Resource Management and Agricultural Competitiveness. The maximum budget support ranges from $10,000 to $15,000.
“The Southeast Asian region has a number of promising researchers and scientists whose desire to contribute to the region’s development through research and knowledge dissemination initiatives is hindered by lack of funds. This situation serves as a barrier to translating promising research and training into scientific outputs that could be applied to promote development,” said Arsenio M. Balisacan, director of SEARCA.
This year’s SFRT grantees are Dr. Roel Alli of the Philippines (Bamban as an Alternative Source of Livelihood for upland communities in Panay Island, Philippines), Yvette Guanzon of the Philippines (GIS-Based Participatory Comprehensive Agricultural Development Plan as a Tool for Poverty Alleviation), Dr. Felino Lansigan of the Philippines (Simulation Analysis of the Effects of Changing Climate on Major Crops in the Philippines), Sitha Khemmarath of Lao PDR (Impact of Eucalyptus Cultivation on Livelihood and Biodiversity Conservation in Khammouan Province, Lao PDR), Dr. Vo Thin Thanh Loc of Vietnam (Value Chain Analysis of Shrimp Product in Mekong Delta, Vietnam), Dr. Ngo Thi Thu Thao of Vietnam (Cultivation of Mud Snail and Blood Cockle), Ariana Suciati of Indonesia (Research Development and Dissemination of Information about Biodiversity in Forest Park Wan Abdul Rachman to Support Community Based Ecotourism in Hurun Village. Padang Cermin, South Lampung. Indonesia), and Dr. Suhardi of Indonesia (Optimizing Sand Dune Area through Appropriate Land Utilization for Providing People Requirement on Food Security).
Hosted by the Philippine government in the UP Los Banos campus. SEARCA is one of the 15 “centers of excellence” of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), an intergovernment body founded in 1965 to foster cooperation among Southeast Asian nations in the fields of education. science, and culture.
