SEARCA in the News

PASIG CITY, Philippines — Consolidation is emerging as a key strategy to strengthen Philippine agriculture and empower smallholders. This was the central message of the Food and Agribusiness Forum: Harnessing Economies of Scale: Consolidation Pathways for Philippine Food and Agribusiness, convened by the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 30 January 2026 at UA&P. The forum convened 82 stakeholders from government, academe, agribusiness, cooperatives, farmers' groups, and development organizations to explore practical models for integrating value chains, reducing farm fragmentation, and scaling inclusive agribusiness… Read more

THE role of robotics in agriculture and its potential to shape sustainable farming futures were showcased to 18 Grade 12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics students from Reedley International School (Reedley), accompanied by their teachers, during a tour at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on Jan. 28. The field trip, which added a play-to-learn dimension, intended to expose young learners to cutting-edge agricultural technologies, sparking their curiosity and engagement. One highlight was the visit to the SEARCA Hub for Agricultural and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation AgriMuseum. According to program specialist… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — Eighteen Grade 12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students of Reedley International School, accompanied by their teachers, visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 28 January 2026 to explore the role of robotics in agriculture. Reedley International School is a private, nonsectarian, nontraditional, and co-educational school in Pasig City, Philippines, that combines progressive and traditional learning approaches. SEARCA has hosted Reedley International students since 2023. During the visit, the students were given a tour of the SEARCA Hub for Agricultural and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation… Read more

CEBU CITY – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) met with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Cebu to identify strategic opportunities for institutional strengthening and capacity development in support of effective climate action at the provincial level. The engagement forms part of the Commission's continuing efforts to deepen collaboration with local governments and ensure the integration of climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) into provincial and municipal development planning processes. During the meeting, the PDRRMO presented Cebu's climate and disaster risk profile, highlighting historical impacts, current vulnerabilities, and ongoing initiatives to address climate-related… Read more

PENANG, Malaysia—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) inspired the next generation of Southeast Asian scientists to reimagine the future of agriculture through an interactive session at the 14th Regional Congress Search for SEAMEO Young Scientists (SSYS), held on 10 February 2026. The congress was organized by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics (RECSAM) and gathered secondary-level Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students from eight SEAMEO member countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Designed to broaden… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines— The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) have formalized a strategic partnership through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on 12 February 2026. The agreement outlines joint initiatives in agricultural education, research, innovation, and capacity building across Southeast Asia and other tropical fruit-producing regions. TFNet, established in 2000 under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is an intergovernmental and inter-institutional organization dedicated to promoting sustainable global development in tropical fruit production, consumption, and trade. Under the five-year… Read more

Deadline: 21 March 2026 The SEARCA Travel Grants Program provides up to USD 1,200 in funding for Southeast Asian researchers, social scientists, and graduate students to attend conferences and scientific forums in agriculture and rural development. The program supports knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration to advance food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agricultural innovation. The SEARCA Travel Grants Program is designed to enable agriculture and rural development professionals, social scientists, and graduate students from Southeast Asia to engage with the global scientific community. The program provides financial support for participation in scientific conferences, workshops, and forums, helping grantees share research… Read more

BANTAYAN ISLAND, CEBU – Underscoring the importance of proactive and science-based local climate planning, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) met with the local government units of Santa Fe and Bantayan in Cebu to discuss climate priorities and explore areas for enhanced technical collaboration. The engagement, held in Santa Fe Municipal Hall, aimed to capacitate LGUs in strengthening the integration of climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) into development planning processes, including the formulation and enhancement of Local Climate Change Action Plans (LCCAPs). Discussions focused on improving Climate and Disaster Risk Assessments (CDRA), aligning local development strategies with… Read more

TO strengthen Southeast Asia's tropical fruit industry, the International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) forged a five-year partnership with the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at SEARCA's headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna. SEARCA Center Director Mercedita Sombilla and TFNet CEO Muhamed Salim bin Mohd Ali led the MOU signing, underscoring their organizations' shared commitment to strengthening the tropical fruit sector and bolstering research and training ecosystems in Southeast Asia and beyond. According to SEARCA, the agreement outlines joint initiatives in agricultural education, research, innovation… Read more

Under the guiding theme "Farm. Farmer. Future.", AGRITECHNICA ASIA and HortEx will take place from 20 to 22 May 2026 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC). Over three days, agricultural practitioners and experts from across Asia and worldwide will meet to advance business development, technology transfer, and applied knowledge in agricultural mechanization and horticulture. The 2026 edition places a strong emphasis on capacity‑building, and practical adoption of innovations tailored to Asia's diverse production systems. Backed by strong institutional partners, the exhibitions are organized by the German Agricultural Society (DLG) in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and… Read more