LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — Ten Development Communication and Communication students from Ateneo de Naga University visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 6 March 2026 to learn how effective communication drives agricultural development across the region.
During the learning visit, Ms. Zara Mae Estareja, SEARCA Senior Associate for Public Relations, briefed the students on the Center's 12th Five-Year Development Plan: Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems through Innovation in Southeast Asia (SUSTAIN Southeast Asia). She explained how SEARCA advances agricultural innovation through its 4Ps framework: boosting farmer incomes (Pocket), enhancing food security (Plate), building climate resilience (Place), and empowering the next generation of stakeholders (People).
Estareja also outlined SEARCA's major programs in education, research, and innovation, emphasizing the Center's long-standing commitment to improving agricultural and rural development in Southeast Asia.
She noted that communicating agricultural science remains a persistent challenge due to the complexity of scientific information, the spread of misinformation, and the need to motivate stakeholders to act. She shared how SEARCA addresses these challenges by simplifying technical research, correcting inaccurate narratives, and designing messages that highlight the real-world impact of scientific findings.
"Communicating agricultural science bridges research and practice—so innovations don't just sit on paper; they reach fields, markets, and homes," Estareja said.
The students also learned about SEARCA's communication strategies for sharing agricultural breakthroughs, including public relations, publications, knowledge events, and the SEARCA Hub for Agriculture and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation (SHARING) AgriMuseum and Café. Estareja added that SEARCA grants help disseminate non-SEARCA research, ensuring that credible agricultural information reaches broader audiences.
She stressed the crucial role of young communicators in shaping the future of the agriculture sector, saying "science is not finished until it is communicated." She encouraged students to become "narrators of progress" who inspire understanding and spark action among the public.
To conclude the visit, the group toured the SHARING AgriMuseum, where they explored Southeast Asia's agricultural history and innovations, engaged with interactive displays, and learned about agripreneurship initiatives.
SEARCA continues to welcome students from all levels as part of its commitment to fostering youth engagement and cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders.