TAIPEI, Taiwan—Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, Center Director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), showcased the Center's initiatives in smart agriculture, carbon neutrality, One Health, and biotechnology at the 2025 X Agriculture Forum held on 2 December 2025. The event was hosted by the National Taiwan University (NTU) College of Bioresources and Agriculture (CBA).
In her presentation, Sombilla discussed SEARCA's 12th Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP): Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems through Innovation in Southeast Asia (SUSTAIN Southeast Asia). This plan guides the Center in implementing programs and initiatives that accelerate the shift from subsistence farming to modern, high-productivity enterprises by connecting science, policy, and practice.
She spotlighted SEARCA's key programs promoting agricultural and rural development through smart agriculture, carbon neutrality, One Health measures, and biotechnology, including the NTU-SEARCA Joint Scholarship Program, which provides master's degrees in Global Agriculture Technology, Genomic Science, Biodiversity, and Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience. Sombilla also noted the Rice Straw Biogas Hub (RSBH), a collaborative climate-mitigation initiative in the Philippines, funded by Innovate UK. RSBH aims to convert rice straw into biochar and compost for soil regeneration, as well as a substrate for food and feed production, and a feedstock for clean energy. This directly supports the principle of regenerative agriculture, which prioritizes soil health. Furthermore, she announced that SEARCA will continue to offer training programs in digital agriculture and precision farming to support transformational agricultural innovations.
Sombilla also introduced flagship SEARCA initiatives currently underway, including the Erasmus+-funded Postgraduate Micro-Credentials in Food Security and Climate Change (PMC FSCC) project. Led by the SEARCA-established Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC), the project delivers flexible, digital micro-credential modules to reskill and upskill workers to address labor market needs and skill gaps. She also highlighted new collaborations with the French Agricultural Research Center for International Development (CIRAD). These include the Partnership for Sustainable Aquaculture in ASEAN (AquASEAN), which aims to enhance the sustainability and resilience of aquaculture in response to climate change by promoting circular economy principles, innovation, and policy support; and the ASEACA project, which seeks to strengthen One Health strategies and policies. Additionally, she mentioned biotechnology initiatives like the Strengthening the Enabling Environment for the Development and Uptake of Modern Agricultural Biotechnology (SEED) Project, which focuses on improving biosafety governance. Sombilla also shared that SEARCA will further support innovation through its Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions (GRAINS), which funds projects in digital agriculture, biotechnology, and waste decarbonization.
"Together with partners, SEARCA helps drive Southeast Asia's agricultural transformation—smart, sustainable, climate‑resilient, and innovation‑driven—by convening science, policy, and practice into shared platforms that empower communities, strengthen governance, and shape a future of resilience and prosperity for generations to come." Sombilla remarked.
The forum served as the preparatory meeting for the 2026 Agriculture Summit, to be hosted by NTU CBA, which will focus on four key themes: smart agriculture, carbon neutrality, One Health, and biotechnology.
Participation in this forum is significant for SEARCA, as it provides an international platform to showcase its programs, gain valuable insights from leading experts, and explore collaborative opportunities. Through active engagement in such events, SEARCA forms strategic alliances, integrates global best practices, and stays abreast of emerging trends. These efforts reinforce SEARCA's commitment to fostering inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agricultural systems across Southeast Asia and beyond, empowering farmers and communities to address current and future challenges.