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SEARCA News

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) spotlights urgent issues shaping the future of farming in its latest issue of the Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD)—featuring new empirical studies and expert reflections that call for rethinking public and private roles in Asia's agricultural development. The AJAD June 2025 issue's lead article, "The Future of Rice in Asia: Public and Private Roles," offers a comprehensive, experience-based reflection on Asia's rice economy, emphasizing that pro-poor growth remains the central objective underpinning the sector's future. Veteran policy analysts Dr. David Dawe, formerly of the International… Read more
LOS BAÑOS, PHILIPPINES—Thirty agricultural leaders from across Southeast Asia gathered at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 16-20 June 2025 for the Training-Workshop on Transformational Agricultural Innovation Systems for the New Future (TrAInS). Over five days, researchers, policymakers, extension officers, and industry experts from five countries exchanged insights and designed programs to accelerate sustainable innovation in the region's food systems. "The ASEAN food system has been labeled as broken and we have seen this happen during the pandemic, thus, it needs to be fixed," said Dr. Virginia Cardenas, TrAInS technical coordinator. Dr… Read more
With the 2030 development agenda set to conclude in less than five years, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable food systems transformation by training 27 leaders across seven countries in the region from 7 May to 5 June 2025. The five-week Executive Program for Leaders in Asian Agriculture and Development (LAAD) brought together esteemed professionals in the agri-food sector from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. Focused on Southeast Asia, the LAAD enhanced the participants' knowledge of key regional issues in agriculture and food as… Read more
BANGKOK, Thailand—Over 40 policymakers, researchers, and development partners from Southeast Asia convened on 3–4 June 2025 in Bangkok for the ASEAN Climate-Smart Livestock Investors, Extension and Science Forum, which aimed to align science, policy, and investment toward low-emission livestock development. Co-organized by the New Zealand Climate Smart Agriculture Initiative, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations – Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAO-RAP), and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the forum brought together representatives from government, academe, and international organizations to identify collaborative approaches for developing climate-smart livestock… Read more
The third ASEAN Climate Leadership Program (ACLP III) convened 27 climate leaders from eight Southeast Asian countries for its fifth module. The session aimed to deepen their understanding of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and equip them to implement inclusive climate actions within their institutions and communities. As implementer of ACLP III, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) provided the technical and knowledge management support that ensured a seamless, interactive learning experience for all participants. Conducted online on 21-22 May 2025, Module 5 delved into leadership development using Theory U's "Prototyping" and "Institutionalizing" stages alongside… Read more
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)and the Center of Excellence on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Nutrition (CE SAIN) convened a Baseline Assessment Workshop on 20–21 May 2025, at CE SAIN Hall, Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia. This event kicked off a comprehensive baseline study under the School-plus-Home Gardens cum Biodiversity Enhancement and Enterprise Program to evaluate existing school gardens and assess students' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) on vegetable production and consumption as well as household consumption patterns, food security status, and coping strategies. The primary objective of the workshop was… Read more
MALANG, Indonesia—Graduate students from across Southeast Asia convened at Universitas Brawijaya (UB) on 2–3 June 2025 for the 10th University Consortium (UC) Graduate Forum. Held under the theme "Innovative Agriculture and Green Technologies for a Resilient Future," the forum was co-organized by UB and the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC) and coordinated by SEARCA as the UC Secretariat. The forum provided a platform to present and discuss cutting-edge research aligned with four key sub-themes: digitalization and AI for smart agroindustry, circular economy and sustainable resource management, climate-resilient agriculture and food security, and… Read more
An aquaculture system powered by artificial intelligence (AI) is helping small-scale fish farmers in Malaysia overcome pressing challenges in their operations. The installation of automated feeders in fish tanks in Negeri Sembilan has reduced time spent on manual feeding by 70% and cut feed waste by 20%. For farmers, this means saving at least six hours of labor each week and earning more from better feeding efficiency. Dr. Ahmad Fikri Abdullah from Universiti Putra Malaysia led the pilot deployment of smart fish feeders through the Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions (GRAINS) of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for… Read more
Officials of Timor-Leste's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry (MLFF), led by Secretary of State for Livestock Hon. José Vieira de Araujo, visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 29 May 2025 to explore areas of collaboration, particularly in strengthening Timor-Leste's carabao industry. Accompanying Secretary de Araujo were Mr. Carlos Antunes Amaral, General Director of Livestock and Veterinary; Mr. Agusto Barros, National Director of Livestock and a SEARCA Scholarship alumnus; Mrs. Elizabeth Purificação Luan Mali, Executive Secretary; and Mr. Julio Cesar Sequeira Amaral, Media Officer. Representatives of the Timor-Leste Embassy in… Read more
BOGOR, Indonesia — Two SEARCA scholars showcased their research results at the 2nd ASEAN University Symposium for Sustainable Food System held at IPB University in Bogor, Indonesia on 5-6 May 2025. The event brought together academic representatives from 12 universities in Southeast Asia to address pressing issues in food security and sustainability. Ms. Maria Cristina P. Pammit, who is pursuing MS agricultural economics at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, presented her study on crop diversification in Ilocos Norte, Philippines. Presented in the session on Market Systems, Economics, and Agribusiness, her research examined the profitability of garlic, onion, and… Read more
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