Pilipinas Shell Foundation, SEARCA to convene forum on agri-innovation

The Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) are jointly organizing a forum on transforming agriculture and food systems through agricultural innovation. It will be held virtually on April 19-20, 2022.

SEARCA Director Glenn B. Gregorio said PSFI and SEARCA will bring together speakers and participants from local government units, farmer groups, academe, nongovernmental organizations, and other farming organizations as well as farmer-entrepreneurs in the Philippines.

He said the forum will discuss inclusive and innovative financing models that can impact on the scalability of farming and agribusiness ventures, market accessibility through effective platforms, and digital technology integration in agricultural production.

PSFI Executive Director Sebastian C. Quiñones, Jr. said the forum will serve as a portal for opportunities to support the current generation of farmers and the youth as key enablers in driving agri-innovation.

Through thematic sessions on upscaling agribusiness, digital inclusion, and investment and finance modalities, Dr. Gregorio said PSFI and SEARCA will determine actions and recommendations on identified challenges discussed to advance agri-innovation in the country. The forum will also gather insights from the participants on the conditions that should be in place to ignite changes in agri-food systems.

Registration is open to the public.

PSFI is a nongovernmental organization and the social arm of the Shell companies in the Philippines. Meanwhile, SEARCA is mandated to serve the agricultural and rural development needs of 11 Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines. It is currently focused on accelerating transformation through agricultural innovation (ATTAIN) to elevate the quality of life of agricultural families through sustainable livelihoods and access to modern networks and innovative markets. SEARCA and PSFI have forged an alliance to cooperate on education, training, and research for the benefit of Filipinos.