Dr. Ligaya R. Leal, Dr. Marilou O. Montiflor and Asst. Prof. Roxanne T. Aguinaldo presented research papers at the 16th International Conference of Environmental and Rural Development (ICERD) held on March 15, 2025 at the Tokyo University of Agriculture in Tokyo, Japan. The event was organized by the International Society of Environmental and Rural Development (ISERD), the Institute of Environmental Rehabilitation and Conservation (ERECON), and Tokyo University of Agriculture.
The presentations were outputs from the research project funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). The project is an Agribusiness-led Inclusive Value Chain development for smallholder farming systems in the Philippines (IVC Philippines) (AGB 2018/196) (See: https://upmin-ivcphil.up.edu.ph/.
One of the papers, “Local Eco-entrepreneurship in Coffee Farming Communities in Sultan Kudarat, Philippines”, presented by its primary author Dr. Leal was given an Award of Excellent Paper. It was co-authored by Dr. Montiflor, Asst. Prof. Aguinaldo, Asst. Prof. Thaddeus R. Acuña, and Mr. Dave Laurence Q. Dela Cruz.
In addition, Dr. Leal was given the Award of Excellent Poster Presentation for the poster taken from results of her doctoral research entitled the “Ecological Modelling on Forest Carbon Stocks in Mt. Apo Natural Park, Southern Philippines: A Baseline Study” showcased the importance of ecological conservation.
Aside from the IVC Philippines, the three SOM academic personnel got additional support for their presentation in the international conference. Asst. Prof. Aguinaldo’s conference funding was from the ACIAR-funded project on Developing Vegetable and Fruit Value Chains and Integrating them with Community Development in the Southern Philippines (AGB/2012/109). Meanwhile, Dr. Montiflor’s participation was made possible through the University of the Philippines System Research Dissemination Grant, University of the Philippines Mindanao, and UP Strategic Research and Management (UPSTREAM) Foundation, Inc. While Dr. Leal got hers from the UP Mindanao, UPSTREAM Foundation, and UP Mindanao Foundation, Inc. (UPMFI).
The 16th ICERD provided a significant platform for exchanging ideas and research that can drive positive change in rural communities and natural ecosystems. These awards serve as a testament to SOM’s commitment to advancing knowledge in environmental and rural development, focusing on sustainable agricultural practices and ecological conservation.
Photos courtesy of the International Society of Environmental and Rural Development
