THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) has forged an agreement with the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) as part of its advocacy to champion of excellence in agricultural and rural development in Southeast Asia.

Glenn Gregorio, Searca director, said a memorandum of understating (MoU) was formally signed between Searca and IIRR represented by Emilita Monville-Oro, IIRR acting regional director for Asia and concurrent country director for the Philippines, in a virtual meeting last April 6.