LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture–Biotechnology Program Office (DA-BPO) and Science Communicators Philippines (SciCommPH), will hold a roundtable discussion on 23 September 2026, at SEARCA in Los Baños, Laguna.
The roundtable, titled "From Energy Shocks to Agricultural Resilience: Roundtable Discussion on Harnessing Agricultural Biotechnology for Fertilizer Efficiency and Climate-Resilient Agriculture," will be held as part of the Philippine National Biotechnology Week 2026, themed "Biotek Para sa Kinabukasan: Kalikasan, Kalusugan, Kagandahan, Kabuhayan, at Kaunlaran."
The discussion comes amid continuing pressures on Philippine agriculture from climate change, rising production costs, dependence on imported agricultural inputs, and disruptions in global commodity and energy markets. These factors have contributed to volatility in fuel, fertilizer, transportation, and other farm input costs, with implications for farm profitability, food prices, and food security.
The roundtable will bring together representatives from government, research and academic institutions, farmers, industry, and other stakeholders to explore how agricultural biotechnology, including biofertilizers and microbial technologies, can improve fertilizer efficiency and strengthen climate –resilience in agriculture.
SEARCA Center Director Dr. Mercedita Sombilla will open the technical discussions with a presentation on "From Energy Conflict to Farm Costs: Understanding the Fertilizer–Food Security Nexus in the Philippines." The half-day program will also feature presentations on biofertilizers and microbial biotechnology, commercialization, farmer experiences, and fertilizer regulation, followed by a panel discussion and open forum.
The roundtable aims to examine how energy and global market disruptions affect fertilizer costs, farm production, and food security; explore the potential of agricultural biotechnology to enhance fertilizer efficiency and agricultural resilience; share Philippine and international research and development experiences; and discuss opportunities and challenges in the development, commercialization, and adoption of agricultural biotechnology. It will also identify priorities for policy, investment, and collaboration to scale-up climate-resilient and resource-efficient agricultural innovations.