SEARCA News

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

BANGKOK, Thailand—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) presented the Dayami Hub concept of its Rice Straw Biogas Hub project in the recently held Agrifuture Conference and Exhibition 2025 in Bangkok on 23–24 September 2025. Organized by the German Agricultural Society (DLG Asia Pacific), the conference convened over 300 participants from government agencies, private enterprises, innovation entities, and sustainability groups representing more than 20 countries across Southeast Asia and beyond. With the theme "Clean Practices and Green Innovations for a Sustainable Agri-Food System," the event highlighted efforts to advance sustainable and eco-friendly approaches in… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and Nagoya University (NU) formally signed a memorandum of agreement on 13 October 2025 to establish the Nagoya University-SEARCA Joint Transnational PhD Scholarship for Philippine Nationals. The signing ceremony reaffirmed their long-standing partnership, which began in 1986. The transnational PhD scholarship program is tailored for working professionals in the fields of engineering, agriculture, international development, and environmental studies, allowing them to pursue doctoral studies without leaving their jobs or countries. It will combine face-to-face supervision with online engagement, offering Filipino students an opportunity to visit… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—Fifty-eight agri-biotech stakeholders from academic institutions, government regulatory agencies, and the private sector joined the forum on "Bridging Biotechnology Innovation and Regulations: Orientation on Microbial-based Product Development and Commercialization in the Academic Setting" held on 18 September 2025 at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) to map practical ways to speed up rigorous approval of microbial-based products developed in academic institutions. Co-organized by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH) and SEARCA, the forum focused on improving researchers' and government regulators' mutual… Read more