LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—Representatives from higher education institutions (HEIs) across the region successfully completed the 2026 Agri-Innovator Program (AIP) of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), held on 13-16 April 2026.
The 2026 SEARCA AIP cohort comprised 23 researchers and technology transfer officers from leading agricultural universities in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.
In his welcome remarks, SEARCA Deputy Director for Administration Dr. Rico C. Ancog encouraged participants to become "not just passive observers of agrifood system transformation, but active changemakers shaping the future of food and farming." He added that the program offers "a chance to forge lasting relationships, connect with like-minded individuals, and build a legacy of innovation that endures beyond the program."
The program featured sessions on commercialization pathways, licensing university technologies, and market analysis for business planning and investor engagement. Participants presented their technology readiness assessments and shared best practices and challenges in research commercialization during a panel session. AIP experts also led a lecture-workshop on technology valuation, which is an essential step in bringing agri-innovations to market.
"I truly appreciate AIP's strong focus on translating research into real-world impact. The industry insights were inspiring, and they shifted my perspective toward market-driven innovation. The program deepened my understanding of how technologies are viewed beyond academia and encouraged me to reflect on how we better position them for practical use," said Ms. Maria Elaidia Barria-Briones of the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
The program's technical experts included Ms. Juca Lacsina, AIP Technical Coordinator and GOEden CEO; Dr. Emil John Cabrera, Program Head, Emerging Innovation for Growth Department, SEARCA; Mr. Don Thed Ramirez, Assistant Vice President for Business Development Group, First Gen Corporation; Mr. Philip Mendes, Principal, Opteon Australia; Prof. Dr. Samsilah Roslan, Director, Putra Science Park, Universiti Putra Malaysia; Mr. Chor Chee Hoe, CEO, Qarbotech; and Ms. Irene Sion, Global Head for Seed Production, East-West Seed Group.
Throughout the program, the participants and experts exchanged practical experiences and gained insights on intellectual property, technology valuation, and institutional approaches to technology transfer. They also shared strategies for navigating policy constraints while advancing innovation in the agri-food sector. Discussions further explored commercialization pathways, existing gaps, and how the private sector evaluates and supports emerging technologies.
On the final day, participants presented their investment kits, showcasing innovation prototypes, market opportunities, commercialization strategies, and valuation models. Among the featured innovations were nanobiopesticides, probiotic ice cream, regenerative seed technology, natural food colorants, and agrivoltaic systems.
"We thank SEARCA for this opportunity. The program broadened our perspective on moving beyond research toward commercialization, which is critical for bringing university innovations to industry," said Dr. Roza Yusfiandayani of Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB) in Indonesia.
Launched in 2022, the SEARCA AIP is designed to empower university representatives to transform food and agriculture research into market-ready solutions, bridging the gap between academic innovation and real-world application.