SEARCA tapped in int’l benchmarking of PH livestock, dairy and poultry industries

To help boost and reboot the Philippine livestock, dairy, and poultry subsectors, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and its partners are currently undertaking an International Benchmarking Study of the Philippine Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Industries co-developed and funded by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

SEARCA is implementing the collaborative study with the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and selected Asian research institutions.

Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, SEARCA Director, said the study has been deemed necessary and timely as the Philippine government’s current agricultural initiatives and policies are skewed towards rice and corn.

He said the study aims to determine comparative advantages of the Philippines and other Asian countries in terms of costs, production management, and marketing practices. It will also identify and analyze key enabling policies that would strengthen the livestock, dairy, and poultry subsectors.

The benchmarking study has local and international components. Given its wide network in Asia, SEARCA leads the international component and has partnered with three research institutions, namely: Peking University, China; Kasetsart University, Thailand; and the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD), Vietnam. The local component of the benchmarking study is led by PIDS.

The project team for the international component is composed of selected staff from SEARCA’s Research and Thought Leadership Department (RTLD) including Dr. Pedcris M. Orencio, Program Head; Ms. Bernice Anne D. De Torres, Program Specialist; Ms. Rochella B. Lapitan, Senior Program Associate; Ms. Ruth Jazrel M. Bandong, Project Associate; and Mr. Xyrus Godfrey B. Capiña, Output-Based Project Associate; as well as industry experts from the Philippines, China, Thailand, and Vietnam, namely, Dr. Liborio S. Cabanilla, Cross-Country Study Leader; Dr. Jikun Huang, China Country Study Leader; Dr. Somkiert Prasanpanich, Thailand Country Study Leader; and Dr. Tran Cong Thang, Vietnam Country Study Leader, respectively. The local component, on the other hand, is led by Dr. Roehlano M. Briones, Senior Research Fellow of PIDS.

Dr. Gregorio said the results are expected to contribute to the development of national policies in support of the livestock, poultry, and dairy industries.

The study is expected to run until October 2021.