SEARCA in the News

THE PHILIPPINES' chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year will be placed in the spotlight during the country's premier business gathering, the BusinessWorld Economic Forum 2026, happening May 18 at the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. With the theme "Advancing the ASEAN Agenda: Turning Regional Vision to Corporate Action," the forum is expected to bring together policymakers, economists, top executives and business leaders from various industries for discussions on how the Philippines can use its ASEAN chairmanship to boost economic growth and strengthen its role in the region. The… Read more

LAST May 8, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), based at Los Banos, Laguna, held a forum on how to "effectively respond to the triple shocks impacting the Philippine agriculture sector." Basically, it was the same issues that I wrote about in an earlier column titled "Triple Threat." The triple shocks referred to are skyrocketing fuel costs, rising fertilizer prices, and the strong El Niño predicted to hit the country the second half of this year that can last till early next year. The SEARCA forum was convened by its director, Dr. Merceditas… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines – the representative of Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment has joined the Consortium collaboration announcement for Agricultural Policy Research Initiatives (CAPRI), a regional platform for collaborative, evidence-based agricultural policy research. The Consortium collaboration announcement took place on April 28, 2026, during CAPRI's onboarding workshop convened by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on April 27–28, 2026. Anchored on SEARCA's 12th Five-Year Development Plan: Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems through Innovation in Southeast Asia (SUSTAIN Southeast Asia), the workshop brought together leading agricultural policy research institutions from… Read more

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 research institutions, development partners, and regional organizations from Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and other Southeast Asian countries, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing agricultural policy research collaboration. SEARCA Center Director Dr. Mercedita Sombilla emphasized the importance of evidence-based policymaking to address systemic challenges such as labor outmigration, an aging farming population, climate risks, and underinvestment in technology and infrastructure. She highlighted… Read more

TO advance evidence-based agricultural and rural growth, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has released three new Agriculture and Development Notes (ADNs), addressing persistent barriers in the region: gender gaps in research, uneven trade benefits, and limited finance access for smallholder farmers. The ADNs examine distinct challenges but share a push for evidence-based solutions that prioritize inclusivity, stronger institutions, and data-driven policy. Together, they underscore SEARCA's focus on translating research into practice to address Southeast Asia's agricultural hurdles. The new titles are "Addressing Gender-Specific Challenges for Equitable Research in Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural… Read more

Philippine Institute for Development Studies reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening agriculture across Southeast Asia as it participated in the Consortium for Agricultural Policy Research Initiatives (CAPRI) alongside regional research institutions, development partners and organizations. The workshop, organized by Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, gathered representatives from 11 Southeast Asian countries, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization from 27 to 28 April. During the event, SEARCA announced plans to launch the Southeast Asian Agricultural Statistics Database in November 2026 during its 60th anniversary celebration. The database aims… Read more

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) has affirmed its participation in the newly launched Consortium for Agricultural Policy Research Initiatives (CAPRI), a regional platform aimed at strengthening collaborative and evidence-based agricultural policy research across Southeast Asia. CAPRI was formally launched during its onboarding workshop, convened by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), on April 27 to 28, 2026. The event brought together agricultural policy research institutions, development partners, and regional organizations from 11 Southeast Asian countries, alongside representatives from ASEAN and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO). Anchored on SEARCA's… Read more

The following link will take you to INQUIRER.net:Mayani to put up 2 more cooling facilities for vegetableshttps://opinion.inquirer.net/191635/ill-equipped-and-ill-prepared… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Youth in Agritalk show is set to tackle climate change in its upcoming episode titled "Climate Detectives: The Case of the Changing Climate." Airing on May 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. on SEARCA Center's Facebook page, the episode takes the youth to a playful journey into bizarre climate mysteries, helping them better understand how climate change affects agriculture and everyday life. The episode highlights the crucial role young people can play in addressing climate change, making it an important watch for those interested… Read more

MANILA — Land Bank of the Philippines is intensifying efforts to support food security and inclusive agricultural development across the region through partnerships with ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines and other stakeholders. The initiatives aim to address financing gaps, strengthen agricultural value chains, and improve the resilience of ASEAN food systems in support of the national government's food security agenda. The collaboration was highlighted during a high-level roundtable discussion on ASEAN food security held at the LANDBANK Plaza in Manila on May 4 under the ASEAN-BAC Philippines platform. The discussion centered on the ASEAN Food Security Alliance Policy Paper, which… Read more