SEARCA in the News

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines— The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)'s Consortium for Agricultural Policy Research Initiatives (CAPRI) held its onboarding workshop on April 27–28, 2026. The event convened representatives from national research institutions, development partners, and regional organizations from the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and other Southeast Asian countries, reaffirming their collective commitment to advancing agricultural policy research and collaboration. SEARCA Center Director Dr. Mercedita Sombilla emphasized the importance of evidence-based policymaking to address systemic challenges, including labor outmigration, an aging farming population, climate risks, and underinvestment in technology and infrastructure. She highlighted… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — As Southeast Asia confronts interconnected challenges in agriculture, climate and food security, attention is shifting toward how agricultural innovation reaches farmers and communities. The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has advanced the concept of agricultural innovation systems (AIS) as a framework for making that process more collaborative, inclusive and responsive to local realities. Rather than focusing solely on new technologies or scientific breakthroughs, AIS brings together institutions, policies, knowledge systems and stakeholders to support agricultural transformation. The approach emphasizes that innovation in agriculture succeeds only when research institutions, extension… Read more

STUDENTS, researchers, startups and engineers across Southeast Asia are invited to develop artificial intelligence solutions for agriculture through the Agritechnica Hackathon, an innovation initiative linked to Agrinnovate Southeast Asia Summit @ Agritechnica Asia 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand last May 22. The hackathon, organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) in partnership with the German Agricultural Society (DLG) and the DLG Prototype Club, focused on creating practical AI-powered applications for farming and agricultural operations. Participants were tasked to address four agricultural technology challenges: real-time machine tracking, driver performance monitoring, field operation optimization under… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has released six policy briefs tackling urgent agricultural and rural development challenges across Southeast Asia. The collection spans digital agriculture, food security, enterprise development, and water sustainability. By examining critical issues in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, these publications offer evidence-based and scalable recommendations to help governments, institutions, and development stakeholders boost regional productivity, inclusivity, and resilience. In Malaysia, the research highlights how digital transformation can protect small businesses. The brief focused on small-scale fish processing and details how Internet of Things (IoT)… Read more

MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has been recognized by the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) as one of its dedicated partners during its Partners' Appreciation Program held at the Mandaluyong City College of Science and Technology Gymnasium on 8 May 2028. Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, SEARCA Center Director, received the plaque of appreciation. DepEd is SEARCA's focal agency in the Philippines under the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO). Over the years, SEARCA and DepEd have worked together on initiatives such as the School-Plus-Home Gardens Project (S+HGP) and its offshoot… Read more

BUTUAN CITY- Nagpadayag ang Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) nga ang padayon nga paglambo sa sektor sa mananap ug manok makatabang aron mabawi ang pagkunhod sa produksyon sa agrikultura karong tuiga, taliwala sa "triple shocks" nga giatubang sa Pilipinas tungod sa pagsaka sa presyo sa lana ug enerhiya, mas taas nga gasto sa abono, ug ang umalabot nga El Niño. Gipasiugda ni SEARCA Director Mercedita Sombilla nga kinahanglan padayonon sa gobyerno ang mga interbensiyon sa mnanap ug manok aron mapalig-on pa ang pagtubo sa sektor, ug dugangan usab ang suporta sa tanom pinaagi… Read more

THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) in Los Baños, Laguna, highlighted their green projects to visiting women leaders from Vietnam on May 8 to support the sustainable transformation of agricultural systems across Southeast Asia. Maria Carla Dolores, SEARCA Research and Thought Leadership senior program associate, presented AquAsean, which aims to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and contribute to the sustainable development of the aquaculture sector in Southeast Asia. Emil John Cabrera, SEARCA Emerging Innovation for Growth Department program head, presented the Rice Straw Bioenergy Hub (RSBH), which transforms rice straw into valuable… Read more

MANILA, Philippines — Sustained gains in the livestock and poultry sectors are expected to help offset this year's slump in agricultural production, according to the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). This comes as the Philippines faces "triple shocks" this year, amid a surge in fuel and energy prices, higher fertilizer costs and the incoming El Niño. SEARCA director Mercedita Sombilla said the government should continue its interventions to livestock and poultry sectors to sustain further growth. "If the interventions that we used for livestock and poultry will be sustained. They will be the… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in partnership with the German Agricultural Society (DLG), is gathering students, researchers, faculty members, startups, engineers, developers and innovators across Southeast Asia to participate in the Agritechnica Hackathon and compete for the SEARCA Agrinnovate Farmer-First Award. The hackathon will take place during the Agrinnovate Southeast Asia Summit at Agritechnica Asia 2026 from May 20 to May 22, 2026, at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre in Thailand. According to SEARCA, the summit will gather regional and global leaders in smart farming, digital… Read more

Deadline: 15-Jun-2026 The IDA Program is an institutional strengthening initiative aimed at improving the academic, research, and governance capacity of higher education institutions in Southeast Asia. It is not open to individuals and is implemented only through selected institutional partnerships with SEARCA. Key Objectives The program focuses on: Strengthening institutional capacity in agricultural education Enhancing research and innovation systems Supporting sustainable agricultural transformation Developing faculty and staff competencies Modernizing curricula and training systems How the Program Works SEARCA identifies and engages partner institutions in Southeast Asia Institutional diagnosis is conducted to assess needs and gaps Joint planning is done between… Read more