SEARCA News
Eighteen students from Can Tho University studying agricultural economics, accounting, business, tourism, and marketing visited SEARCA to learn about its initiatives in education, research, and innovation. They were accompanied by their professors, Dr. Ngo Thi Thanh Truc, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Environmental and Resource Economics and a SEARCA scholarship alumna, and Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Duc, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Economics. Can Tho University's core missions are to provide training, conduct scientific research, and transfer technology in support of regional and national socio-economic development. During the visit, the delegation was briefed on SEARCA's mandate and thrusts and… Read more
LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—A delegation from the project Enabling women in Central Vietnam to improve their lives and protect the environment and natural resources by pursuing a green and circular economy approach visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 8 May 2026. This initiative is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by GreenViet Biodiversity Conservation Centre (GreenViet), Visible Impact, and the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The delegation comprised female leaders from city- and commune- and ward-level local governments, members of cooperatives, and community representatives from Da Nang, Vietnam. The… Read more
MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines—The Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) recognized the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) as one of its dedicated partners during the Partners' Appreciation Program held at the Mandaluyong City College of Science and Technology Gymnasium on 8 May 2028. With the theme "Partnerships that endure. Reforms that last," the event gathered more than 200 DepEd partner organizations from government, diplomatic missions, research institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector. SEARCA Center Director Dr. Mercedita Sombilla received the plaque of appreciation on behalf of the Center. DepEd, SEARCA's focal agency in the… Read more
MANILA, Philippines—Days ahead of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in partnership with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Philippines, unveiled their proposed ASEAN Food Policy Framework aimed at reshaping regional food systems through private sector leadership and innovation. Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, SEARCA Center Director, presented the framework at a high-level multi-stakeholder roundtable discussion held on 4 May 2026 at the LANDBANK Plaza. The recommended policy framework reframes food security as a multidimensional challenge encompassing production, resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability across ASEAN. A priority initiative under… Read more
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in partnership with the German Agricultural Society (DLG), is inviting students, researchers, faculty members, startups, engineers, developers, and innovators across Southeast Asia to participate in the Agritechnica Hackathon and compete for the SEARCA AGRINNOVATE Farmer-First Award. Set to take place during the AGRINNOVATE Southeast Asia Summit at Agritechnica Asia 2026, the event is scheduled for 20–22 May 2026 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC), Thailand. The summit will gather regional and global leaders in smart farming, digital agriculture, automation, sustainability, and agricultural innovation. At… Read more
LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has released three Agriculture and Development Notes (ADNs) aimed at advancing evidence-based agricultural and rural growth. By exploring gender equity in research, regional agricultural trade, and digital financial inclusion, the publications underscore the Center's commitment to addressing the region's multifaceted agricultural hurdles. The new publications offer a distinct yet complementary perspectives on regional transformation. The new titles are "Addressing Gender-Specific Challenges for Equitable Research in Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources in Luzon, Philippines" by Glory Dee Romo, Francis Levi Durano, and Rodgessa Lopez; "Trade Creation… Read more
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) is set to air the fourth episode of its Youth in Agri Talk Show on 15 May 2026 at 7:00 p.m. (GMT +8:00) on the Center's Facebook page. Titled "Climate Detectives: The Case of the Changing Climate," the episode takes the youth on a playful journey into bizarre climate mysteries, helping them better understand how climate change affects agriculture and everyday life. Mr. Ochie San Juan, Chief Farmer and Co Founder of the agri tech startup Mayani, joins the episode as the Chief Detective, responding to questions… Read more
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… Read more
LOS BAÑOS, Philippines— Representatives of five agricultural policy research institutions signed the CAPRI Membership Agreement on 28 April 2026, formally launching the Consortium for Agricultural Policy Research Initiatives (CAPRI) as a regional platform for collaborative, evidence-based agricultural policy research. The signing took place on the second day of CAPRI's onboarding workshop, convened by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 27–28 April 2026. Anchored on SEARCA's 12th Five-Year Development Plan: Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems through Innovation in Southeast Asia (SUSTAIN Southeast Asia), the workshop brought together leading agricultural policy research institutions from… Read more
LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Consortium for Agricultural Policy Research Initiatives (CAPRI) held its onboarding workshop on 27-28 April 2026 at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), bringing together representatives from national research institutions, development partners, and regional organizations to strengthen collaboration on agricultural policy research across Southeast Asia. SEARCA Center Director Dr. Mercedita Sombilla emphasized the need for evidence-based policymaking to address interconnected agricultural challenges, including labor outmigration, an aging farming population, climate risks, and underinvestment in technology and infrastructure. She described these issues as "systemic, complex, and mutually reinforcing," underscoring the need for… Read more
Page 1 of 163