UPLB institutionalizes Project Sarai

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—The University of the Philippines (UP) has institutionalized the government-funded Project Sarai, which is aimed at expanding climate-smart agriculture and bolstering the resilience of local farmers nationwide.

On Friday, UP-Los Baños launched the UPLB Center for Sarai (Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry) to advance research, development, extensions, and public service initiatives.

This, after the UP Board of Regents, the UP System’s highest governing body, approved on August 26 the institutionalization of Project Sarai, transitioning from an action-research program.

Project Sarai was introduced in 2013 by an interdisciplinary group of scientists from UPLB, with support from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-Pcarrd).

Decibel Eslava, dean of the UPLB School of Environmental Science and Management (Sesam), said the project moved from a “time-bound” research program to an “enduring” public service institution.

“Today, we give an institutional home to years of scientified work, partnerships, technologies, and commitment to Philippine agriculture,” she said in a presentation here.

Eslava, who also serves as the Program Leader of Sarai Centro (Centralized National Hub for Regional Operations), said the center will sustain the capabilities built within the system while making these more accessible to the farm sector.

“The center’s mandate is to lead the development, integration, delivery, and institutionalization of science-based and digital decision support for Philippine agriculture,” she added.

Eslava said the center will provide technical leadership and coordination, with government agencies and stakeholder partners urged to provide regional reach, validation, data, and pathways for adaptation.

“As a whole, UPLB Sarai will strengthen UPLB’s role as the country’s lead institution for climate smart and precision agriculture,” she said.

Ultimately, the project aims to transform Philippine agriculture and fisheries into a low-carbon, climate-resilient food system by 2050.

“By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, the Sarai Center aims to minimize climate risks and enhance the resilience of Philippine agriculture.”

The Project Sarai formulates crop advisories targeted for nine crops, such as rice, corn, banana, coconut, coffee, cacao, sugarcane, soybean, and tomato.

It is being implemented by UPLB together with 11 state universities and colleges (SUCs) and six national government agencies.