SEARCA News

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

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