SEARCA News

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

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—On 15 April 2026, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), with the support of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), hosted the third session of its Meet the Diplomat Series (MDS) featuring His Excellency Massimo Santoro, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to the Philippines. The event served as a high-level platform for aligning EU foreign policy priorities with those of the Philippines. A central focus of the ambassador's discussion was the economic growth, specifically the ongoing negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Ambassador Santoro expressed hope that… Read more

MAKATI CITY, Philippines—In a significant initiative toward advancing a vision of resilience and sustainability by boosting the interconnected systems of human, animals, and environmental health, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement (CIRAD), and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) launched the Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean (ASEACA) program in the Philippines. The event was held at the New World Hotel in Makati on 26–27 March 2026. ASEACA not only aims to mitigate existing threats but also to proactively prevent… Read more