SEARCA News

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM—Mr. Jaymark Warren T. Dia, Unit Head for Management Information Systems at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), was one of the recipients of the prestigious Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Service Award 2024/2025. In the awarding ceremony held on 1 July 2025 during the 53rd SEAMEO Council Conference at the Empire Hotel, Brunei Darussalam, Dia was recognized for his outstanding service, innovation, and unwavering commitment to SEARCA. With over 20 years of dedicated service to the Center, Dia, known to colleagues simply as "Jay," has been at the forefront… Read more

LAGUNA, Philippines—Over 40 rice farmers and representatives from irrigators' associations and the local government of Santa Maria, Laguna gathered on 18 June 2025 for a workshop and consultation session that aimed to promote climate-resilient and sustainable practices in rice production. The event marked the third cycle of SEARCA's "Transforming Rice Farming through Low Carbon Solutions" initiative. Led by SEARCA's Emerging Innovation for Growth Department (EIGD), in partnership with Leads Agricultural Products Corporation (LEADS Agri) and Innovate UK through the Rice Straw Biogas Hub (RSBH) project, the initiative continues to strengthen the engagement of diverse actors across the rice value chain… Read more

BANGKOK, Thailand—Over 40 policymakers, researchers, and development partners from Southeast Asia convened on 3–4 June 2025 in Bangkok for the ASEAN Climate-Smart Livestock Investors, Extension and Science Forum, which aimed to align science, policy, and investment toward low-emission livestock development. Co-organized by the New Zealand Climate Smart Agriculture Initiative, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations – Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAO-RAP), and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the forum brought together representatives from government, academe, and international organizations to identify collaborative approaches for developing climate-smart livestock… Read more

The third ASEAN Climate Leadership Program (ACLP III) convened 27 climate leaders from eight Southeast Asian countries for its fifth module. The session aimed to deepen their understanding of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and equip them to implement inclusive climate actions within their institutions and communities. As implementer of ACLP III, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) provided the technical and knowledge management support that ensured a seamless, interactive learning experience for all participants. Conducted online on 21-22 May 2025, Module 5 delved into leadership development using Theory U's "Prototyping" and "Institutionalizing" stages alongside… Read more

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)and the Center of Excellence on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Nutrition (CE SAIN) convened a Baseline Assessment Workshop on 20–21 May 2025, at CE SAIN Hall, Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia. This event kicked off a comprehensive baseline study under the School-plus-Home Gardens cum Biodiversity Enhancement and Enterprise Program to evaluate existing school gardens and assess students' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) on vegetable production and consumption as well as household consumption patterns, food security status, and coping strategies. The primary objective of the workshop was… Read more

MALANG, Indonesia—Graduate students from across Southeast Asia convened at Universitas Brawijaya (UB) on 2–3 June 2025 for the 10th University Consortium (UC) Graduate Forum. Held under the theme "Innovative Agriculture and Green Technologies for a Resilient Future," the forum was co-organized by UB and the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC) and coordinated by SEARCA as the UC Secretariat. The forum provided a platform to present and discuss cutting-edge research aligned with four key sub-themes: digitalization and AI for smart agroindustry, circular economy and sustainable resource management, climate-resilient agriculture and food security, and… Read more

An aquaculture system powered by artificial intelligence (AI) is helping small-scale fish farmers in Malaysia overcome pressing challenges in their operations. The installation of automated feeders in fish tanks in Negeri Sembilan has reduced time spent on manual feeding by 70% and cut feed waste by 20%. For farmers, this means saving at least six hours of labor each week and earning more from better feeding efficiency. Dr. Ahmad Fikri Abdullah from Universiti Putra Malaysia led the pilot deployment of smart fish feeders through the Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions (GRAINS) of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for… Read more