SEARCA News
CHON BURI, Thailand—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics (SEAMEO RECSAM) have formalized a three-year partnership to strengthen collaboration in education, research, knowledge exchange, and capacity building across Southeast Asia. To strengthen collaboration within the SEAMEO network, SEARCA and RECSAM signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 15 July 2026 at the SEAMEO Centre Directors Meeting (CDM) held in Chon Buri, Thailand. The MOU was signed by Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, SEARCA Center Director, and Dr. Azman bin Jusoh… Read more
CHONBURI, Thailand—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) joined regional leaders at the 2026 SEAMEO Centre Directors Meeting (CDM) to share knowledge, highlight recent milestones, and strengthen regional collaboration in agriculture and education. Held on 14–15 July 2026 at the Amari Bangsaen Hotel, the annual meeting brought together leaders and representatives from across the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) network to commemorate six decades of regional cooperation in education, science, and culture. The SEARCA delegation was led by Center Director Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, alongside Dr. Rico Ancog, Deputy Director for Administration, and… Read more
CHIANG MAI, Thailand—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), which serves as the secretariat of the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC) will support the convening of the 8th UC Faculty Forum (UCFF) on 27–28 July 2026. Maejo University (MJU) will host the regional forum in Chiang Mai, Thailand. With the theme "IWA: Intelligent Well-being Agriculture toward Sustainable Development," the 2026 UCFF highlights the growing need to transform conventional agricultural systems into integrated models that harness technological innovation while promoting environmental sustainability, human well-being, and inclusive community… Read more
The June 2026 issue of the Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD) highlights how stronger agri-food systems require more than higher production. Studies published in AJAD Volume 23 Number 1 examine how policy tools, value-chain coordination, digital infrastructure, advisory services, and risk-aware farm technologies can help improve agricultural outcomes across Asia. The first paper in the issue, "Evaluating Policies for the Philippine Rice Market," introduces the Rapid Evaluation of Market Equilibrium with Differentiated Origin Sectors (REMEDIOS), a spreadsheet-based model that can quickly assess policies and help adjust them based on prevailing market conditions. Applying the model to the Philippine… Read more
LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) is gearing up for the fifth installment of its Meet the Diplomat Series (MDS) on 29 July 2026. The session will feature Her Excellency Yuliia Fediv, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Philippines, who will discuss opportunities to expand agricultural markets, strengthen trade access in Southeast Asia, and advance the growing economic and agricultural partnership between Ukraine and the Philippines. This upcoming event marks a milestone for the series, following four successful installments that featured agricultural and bilateral perspectives from diplomatic representatives of Thailand, Spain, Vietnam… Read more
LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) will convene policymakers, researchers, development organizations, private sector leaders, farmers' group, and other key stakeholders from across Southeast Asia for the Third International Conference on Agricultural and Rural Development (ARD) in Southeast Asia on 2-3 December 2026 at Sheraton Manila Hotel in Pasay City, Philippines. Centered on the theme "Policy Pathways for Sustainable Agrifood Systems Transformation in Southeast Asia", the conference aims to shape a shared regional agenda for building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agrifood systems. Organized as one of the flagship events celebrating SEARCA's… Read more
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) continued cultivating climate awareness and an appreciation for agriculture among young learners through its Youth in Agri Talk Show. The show aired its fourth episode, titled "Climate Detectives: The Case of the Changing Climate," on 15 May 2026 at 7:00 p.m. (GMT +8:00) on SEARCA's Facebook page. The episode garnered 55,000 organic views, with the largest audiences coming from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste. It turned complex climate science into an engaging and playful investigation. The show featured Mr. Ochie San Juan, Chief Farmer and Co-Founder of… Read more
LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) called for stronger youth leadership in agriculture during Usapang Kabataan: Youth in Agriculture, a virtual learning session hosted by the Philippine Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (PPSA) on 11 July 2026. Held via Zoom and Facebook Live, the session brought together students, young practitioners, and agriculture advocates to examine emerging opportunities, career paths, and leadership ecosystems across modern agricultural systems. Representing SEARCA were two of its youth ambassadors, Mr. Sonny Pasiona, Program Specialist from the Training for Development Unit, and Ms. Zara Mae Estareja, Senior Associate… Read more
LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—For 20 years, the SEARCA Photo Contest has invited photographers across Southeast Asia to look closely at agriculture and rural life—not only as fields and harvests, but as people, labor, knowledge, culture, innovation, and hope. This year, as the contest marks its milestone 20th edition, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) opens the call for entries under the theme "Food for All, Food for the Future." The contest invites professional and amateur photographers from Southeast Asia to capture the many hands and systems that bring food from farms, fishing grounds, gardens… Read more
LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) will lead the design and testing of a regional micro-credential curriculum on regenerative and resilient agriculture in partnership with two other centers of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO). The 12-month initiative is funded by the SEAMEO Inter-Centre Collaboration (ICC) Grant. SEARCA, the SEAMEO Regional Open Learning Centre (SEAMOLEC), and the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (RIHED) were selected under the first round of the SEAMEO ICC Grant, which funds collaborative initiatives addressing shared regional priorities. Their project, "Developing and… Read more
Page 2 of 167