SEARCA in the News

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — Long prized as a staple in Filipino culinary tradition, purple yam — locally known as ube — is emerging as a key driver of agricultural growth and climate resilience for smallholder farmers. Insights featured in the Agriculture and Development Seminar Series (ADSS) organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) show that while global and domestic demand for ube continues to surge, local supply struggles to keep pace, creating a significant opportunity to transform traditional root-crop farming into a highly profitable enterprise. Market demand remains strong, with ube exports… Read more

The 20th SEARCA Photo Contest invites Southeast Asian photographers to submit original photographs under the theme “Food for All, Food for the Future.” The contest focuses on visual stories showing how people, communities, agriculture, markets, innovation, climate resilience, and women contribute to food systems that are nourishing, safe, accessible, resilient, and prepared for the future. The 20th SEARCA Photo Contest is a regional photography competition highlighting agriculture, food systems, rural development, and the people who help ensure food security across Southeast Asia. The 20th edition marks an important milestone for the contest, which has become a platform for photographers to… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—Itinampok ang mga oportunidad para mapalawak ang kalakalan sa agrikultura, mapalakas ang bilateral trade, at mapalalim ang akademikong ugnayan ng Ukraine at Pilipinas sa ikalimang sesyon ng Meet the Diplomat Series ng Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) noong Hulyo 29, 2026. Panauhing pandangal si Her Excellency Yuliia Fediv, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary ng Ukraine sa Pilipinas, na naglahad ng kalagayan, kultura at mga oportunidad sa ekonomiya ng Ukraine sa ilalim ng temang “Between the Skies and Planes.” Ayon kay Fediv, nananatiling “breadbasket of Europe” ang Ukraine sa kabila ng mga pagkagambala… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — Social enterprises are emerging as business models that can help make Southeast Asia’s agrifood systems more resilient while expanding opportunities for farmers and buyers. This is what an entrepreneurship expert said during a regional webinar hosted by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). Jeffrey Cheah, Senior Lecturer and Online MBA Program Manager at the Graduate School of Business, Universiti Sains Malaysia, said during the 56th SEARCA Online Learning and Virtual Engagement (SOLVE) webinar on July 22, 2026 that these enterprises address gaps in the market by linking producers to… Read more

Two College of Agriculture faculty members brought research from Bukidnon to an international academic forum, presenting studies on climate-resilient farming and sustainable crop production to researchers and academic leaders from across Asia. Dr. Josephine L. Arbes and Dr. Iris Rosales Pescadero represented Central Mindanao University (CMU) at the 8th University Consortium (UC) Faculty Forum in Thailand, an achievement highlighted by University President Dr. Rolito G. Eballe during his weekly University Update at the Flag Raising Ceremony on August 10. Dr. Eballe said their participation reflects CMU’s continuing commitment to “internationalization, faculty development, academic collaboration, and the advancement of sustainable and… Read more

Social enterprises can help build resilient and inclusive agrifood systems by addressing market gaps while generating social and economic impact, a social entrepreneurship expert said during the 56th Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Online Learning and Virtual Engagement (SOLVE) webinar held on 22 July 2026. Dr. Jeffrey Cheah, Senior Lecturer and Online MBA Program Manager at the Graduate School of Business, Universiti Sains Malaysia, told more than 200 participants on Zoom and Facebook Live that social enterprise models can help smallholder farmers cope with climate risks, fragmented value chains, limited market access, and… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) convened the fifth installment of its Meet the Diplomat Series on July 29, highlighting opportunities to expand agricultural trade, improve market access in Southeast Asia and strengthen economic cooperation between Ukraine and the Philippines. The session featured Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Yuliia Fediv, and was the latest in the series following diplomatic discussions with representatives from Thailand, Spain, Vietnam and the European Union. Focus on trade and market access In her presentation, Fediv outlined Ukraine’s position as one of the world’s major agricultural producers, often referred… Read more

CHONBURI, Thailand — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) presented five working papers and secured new collaboration opportunities during the 2026 SEAMEO Centre Directors Meeting (CDM) held 14–15 July at the Amari Bangsaen Hotel. The annual meeting brought together leaders and representatives of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) network as it marked 60 years of regional cooperation in education, science and culture. SEARCA was led by Center Director Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, with Dr. Rico Ancog, Deputy Director for Administration, and Mr. Arnel Oabina, Financial Analyst. SEARCA submitted five papers to… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) welcomed 62 participants, including lecturers and the organizing team, from seven countries to the International Ecology School (IES) 2026 held 15–21 July 2026 in Laguna, Philippines. The participants included 23 graduate and undergraduate students. With the theme “Resilient Ecologies, Shared Futures: Innovation for Climate and Biodiversity,” the week-long program brought together participants from Mongolia, the People’s Republic of China, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Through lectures, research presentations, and field-based training, they deepened their understanding of climate resilience, biodiversity conservation… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — Nineteen development communication (DevCom) student interns from Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University (ZPPSU), Mindanao State University (MSU), and University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 15 July 2026 to learn how communication supports agricultural innovation, knowledge management, and sustainable rural development. Organized in coordination with the UPLB College of Development Communication (CDC), the visit introduced the interns to SEARCA’s regional work at the intersection of communication, agricultural technology, and sustainable rural development. Ms. Paula Muyco, Program Specialist at the Education and… Read more