SEARCA News
MUNTINLUPA CITY, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) co-organized the 2nd Science and Technology IMPACT Assessment Conference (IACon 2026) held on 25–26 May 2026 at the Acacia Hotel in Alabang. The event was led by the University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Public Affairs and Development (UPLB CPAF), together with the Department of Science and Technology, particularly the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD). Anchored on the theme "Evaluating What Works… Read more
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) formalized their partnership through a virtual signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 29 May 2026 via Zoom. The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation in academic, educational, and research initiatives, including joint research projects, scholarships, training, and the exchange of information and scientific materials. It explicitly aligns the partnership with SEARCA's 12th Five-Year Development Plan, focused on Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems through Innovation in Southeast Asia (SUSTAIN Southeast Asia), reflecting their shared commitment to advancing sustainable… Read more
The vital yet often unseen work that brings food from farms and waters to tables took center stage in the winning entries of the 19th SEARCA Photo Contest, themed "Beyond the Harvest: People and Processes in the Agriculture Value Chain." Launched in September 2025, the annual photo competition invited Southeast Asian photographers to capture the people, practices, and enterprises that sustain the agriculture value chain beyond production, from postharvest handling, food processing, and transport to markets, trade, entrepreneurship, and consumer connections. The contest sought images that reveal the "hidden heartbeat" of agriculture: the activities that move, transform, preserve, and connect… Read more
BUTUAN CITY, Philippines—Dr. Ariel Antinero, a Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) scholarship alum, PhD graduate in marine biology, and current faculty member of the College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences at Mindanao State University at Naawan, won second place in the Best Scientific Poster category at the 2026 Mindanao Regional Scientific Meeting held on 19–20 May 2026 in Butuan City, Philippines. The event carried the theme "UN SDGs: Science, Technology, and Innovation for Sustainable Development." The conference gathered researchers, scientists, and academics from across Mindanao, featuring 17 scientific posters representing various institutions and… Read more
CALAPAN CITY, Philippines—Farmers, local officials, scientists, civil society groups, and representatives from government agencies, research institutions, farmer organizations, and environmental groups convened in a series of public consultations on 3 March and 6 April 2026 to discuss Oriental Mindoro's long-standing ban on genetically modified (GM) crops and explore whether organic and GM farming systems can coexist under science-based and inclusive regulatory safeguards. The activities were organized by the Provincial Agriculture Office of Oriental Mindoro, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), and the Department of Agriculture - Biotechnology Program Office (DA-BPO). Stakeholders from across… Read more
CAMARINES SUR, Philippines — Experts, policymakers, educators, researchers, and community leaders at the CBSUA–SEARCA Joint International Conference 2026 called for stronger institutional action, integrated policies, and community-driven approaches to scale sustainable food systems, biodiversity conservation, agritourism, and climate resilience initiatives across Southeast Asia. Held from 18–21 March 2026, the conference brought together participants through the 7th International Conference on Education, Environment, and Agriculture (ICEEA7) and the 4th International Conference on School-plus-Home Gardens cum Biodiversity Enhancement and Enterprise (SHGBEE4). The event was organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and Central Bicol State… Read more
Addressing the complex challenges facing Southeast Asia's agriculture sector will require more than new technologies or scientific breakthroughs. It will require stronger agricultural innovation systems (AIS), ones that are capable of fostering collaboration, accelerating innovation, and supporting sustainable agricultural transformation amid dynamic global conditions. This was the central message of the 2026 Training Workshop on Transformational Agricultural Innovation Systems (TrAInS) for the New Future, organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). The hybrid training program gathered 19 research and extension professionals from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam to examine… Read more
LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has released six policy briefs tackling urgent agricultural and rural development challenges across Southeast Asia. Covering themes from digital agriculture and food security to water sustainability and enterprise development, the publications provide evidence-based recommendations to strengthen regional productivity, inclusivity, and resilience. This installment of the SEARCA Policy Brief Series examines critical issues affecting farming communities in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, while highlighting practical and scalable policy solutions for governments, institutions, and development stakeholders. The collection includes insights into the Malaysian context, specifically through the… Read more
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
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