UC forum pushes green agriculture for food security

The 7th University Consortium (UC) Faculty Forum gathered faculty, researchers, and policymakers from Southeast Asia to advance science, innovation, and cross-sector partnerships for sustainable agriculture and global food security.

Central Mindanao University (CMU) hosted the forum on Sept. 24–25, 2025, in Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon under the theme “Building a Sustainable Future: Agriculture in a Green Economy for Global Food Security.”

Dr. Jose Valmorida, CMU vice president for academic affairs, delivered the welcome message and stressed the need to align agricultural research with green economy principles to protect food systems and the environment.

He also noted the milestone of CMU hosting its first UC event since joining the consortium.

Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Center Director Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, representing the University Consortium Secretariat, reaffirmed SEARCA’s commitment to supporting the faculty forum as a catalyst for agricultural innovation.

She said collaborative research and networking are essential to addressing climate change, food and nutrition insecurity, and rural inequality, and she encouraged participants to share insights that advance inclusive and resilient agricultural systems.

Keynote speaker Dr. Terence Al Abaquita, a Balik Scientist under the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST–PCAARRD) program, traced the evolution of the green economy from its 1972 origins to its current role as an inclusive, low-carbon development model.

Abaquita said agriculture can deliver vital environmental services and strengthen food security when managed sustainably, but he cited persistent gaps in research and education investment.

He called for stronger support for basic research, integrating green principles into academic curricula, enabling student-led innovation, and strengthening industry–academe partnerships.

Research presentations showcased varied approaches to sustainable agriculture, including the use of biostimulants to improve cacao tree resilience and enhanced livestock nutrition through seaweed and phytobiotics.

Other studies examined alternative protein sources such as fermented feather meal and food innovation using spray-dried tomato and pineapple powders and fern powder for functional food applications.

Crop improvement efforts were also featured through short-statured adlay breeding lines for yield stability, carbon sequestration initiatives in mined lands, and precision nutrient management for rice using multispectral imagery.

Additional research assessed agricultural productivity trends in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and advances in sustainable aquaculture, particularly freshwater prawn production.

Urban and grassroots innovations included garden towers for urban food security, Bokashi composting for circular food systems, and community models that link producers with consumers.

Other presentations explored rural cooperative development and business model innovation to enhance community resilience.

Participants joined cultural immersion activities in Bukidnon that underscored the importance of indigenous knowledge and heritage in holistic sustainability practices.

The two-day forum strengthened dialogue across science, policy, and practice, reinforcing the University Consortium’s role as a collaborative hub advancing sustainable agriculture in Southeast Asia.