SEARCA News

SAVANNAKHET, Lao PDR—Hydroponic farming—the practice of growing plants without soil—has been gaining popularity among vegetable farmers in Savannakhet province, Lao PDR. Water efficiency, higher yields, faster growth, and reduced reliance on pesticides and soil are commonly known advantages of hydroponics in meeting consumer food demand and climate resilience. Yet, farmers must import pricey hydroponic nutrients from neighboring countries like Thailand and Vietnam. It turns out that an affordable innovation can come from farm waste and a liquid mixture of microbes called probiotics, which farmers can produce locally. The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)… Read more

PASIG CITY, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) convened the Roundtable Discussion on Micro-Credentials in Southeast Asia: Lessons for the Philippines on 30 October 2025 at Joy~Nostalg Hotel & Suites, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, with hybrid participation from regional and national experts in education, government, and industry. Organized with the support of the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd), the event forms part of SEARCA's Regional Scoping Study on Micro-Credentials in Southeast Asia, a six-month research initiative examining national policies, institutional practices, and quality assurance mechanisms in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has released a new research note urging a systemic approach to embedding gender perspectives across the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) research landscape. The study is published in the issue of SEARCA's Agriculture and Development Notes series titled "Addressing Gender-Specific Challenges for Equitable Research in Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources in Luzon, Philippines." Authored by Glory Dee Romo, Francis Levi Durano, and Rodgessa Lopez of the School of Management at University of the Philippines Mindanao, the publication highlights persistent gender gaps in research practice… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—A paradigm shift toward regenerative agriculture is essential in achieving long-term food security and environmental restoration in Southeast Asia. This was emphasized by Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, Center Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in her keynote address at the 5th International Conference on Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture in the Tropics (IC-FSSAT). The conference was held in a hybrid format on 29 October 2025 at Hasanuddin University in Makassar, Indonesia and via Zoom. With the theme "Regenerative Agriculture for Sustainable Food Production and Environmental Restoration," the conference brought together… Read more

PASIG CITY, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) will convene a Roundtable Discussion (RTD) on Micro-Credentials in Southeast Asia: Lessons for the Philippines on 30 October 2025. The event will be held at Joy~Nostalg Hotel & Suites, Ortigas Center in Pasig City and online via Zoom. This hybrid event will gather regional and national experts from higher education and government to share insights on advancing micro-credentials as tools for lifelong learning, workforce readiness, and education transformation. SEARCA initiated the RTD as part of its Regional Scoping Study on Micro-Credentials in Southeast Asia with… Read more

HANOI, Vietnam—Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, Center Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), delivered the keynote address at the 2025 Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry (TUAF) International Climate Change Conference (ICCC) hosted by TUAF on 14 October 2025. Speaking under the theme "Sustainable Future: Smart Use of Waste and Energy," she called for Southeast Asia to transition from linear, extractive agricultural models to circular, regenerative systems. In her presentation, "Advancing Circularity in Agriculture for Sustainable Farming Systems in Southeast Asia," Sombilla positioned circular agriculture as a strategic response to climate change… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) renewed their memorandum of understanding (MOU) in a virtual ceremony held on 22 October 2025. Established in 1979 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CIRDAP promotes regional cooperation in integrated rural development and operates through designated ministries and link institutions. The alliance began in 2014, when SEARCA and CIRDAP signed a three-year MOU for institutional cooperation, committing to develop joint programs, projects, and capacity building activities, as… Read more

BEIJING, China—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) joined global partners in celebrating the 30th anniversary of the China Center for Agricultural Policy (CCAP) held on 17–19 October 2025, underscoring SEARCA's commitment to regional collaboration and policy innovation in agricultural and rural development. Hosted at Peking University, the celebration brought together leading institutions and experts to reflect on CCAP's contributions as a premier agricultural policy think tank. With strong linkages to key decision-making bodies in China and international organizations, CCAP has played a pivotal role in shaping agricultural and rural development strategies across Asia… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—Under the banner of the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Enhancement (SAFE) Acceleration Program—a collaboration between the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and Villgro Philippines—three gender-inclusive agri-enterprises in Southeast Asia made notable strides in scaling climate-resilient business models. Launched earlier this year, the program provided a platform for mentorship, market validation, and investment readiness for early-stage enterprises. Over four months, participants engaged in diagnostic panels, learning labs, masterclasses, self-paced modules, peer learning, and 36 hours of one-on-one mentorship with 16 experts and trainers. Culminating in the SAFE Impact Showcase on 3… Read more

MANILA, Philippines—Scientists, regulators, and media professionals convened in a media forum jointly organized by Science Communicators Philippines (SciCommPH), CropLife Philippines, and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 14 October 2025 at the Century Park Hotel, Manila. The forum brought key stakeholders into dialogue on the country's biotechnology research, regulation, and adoption landscape. Discussions highlighted progress in agricultural innovation and the growing need for stronger communication and policy coherence in the sector. In her welcome message, Dr. Ruby Roan Cristobal, SciCommPH PresidentmPH, underscored biotechnology's vital role in addressing food security, public health, and… Read more