LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) is taking a significant step toward advancing agricultural transformation in Southeast Asia by launching the Consortium for Agricultural Policy Research Initiatives (CAPRI).
On April 27-28, 2026, SEARCA will host an onboarding workshop at its headquarters in this town, bringing together representatives from leading institutions across Southeast Asia.
These institutions will form the core of CAPRI, a regional consortium focused on generating evidence-based agricultural policy research to drive sustainable development in the region.
CAPRI is a key component of SEARCA's 12th Five-Year Development Plan, known as SUSTAIN Southeast Asia, which aims to promote innovation in agricultural systems.
SEARCA Center Director Mercedita Sombilla said the consortium seeks to bridge the gap between science, policy and practice by providing actionable policy recommendations, fostering collaborative research, and building institutional capacities through knowledge sharing.
SEARCA said that CAPRI is envisioned as a strategic regional platform for evidence-based agricultural policy research and will serve as the foundational backbone for Southeast Asia's agricultural policies, ensuring that innovation is integrated into frameworks that translate technical knowledge into tangible outcomes.
The upcoming workshop will gather invited CAPRI members and partners to solidify the consortium's framework, set a research agenda, and plan initial activities.
Key discussions will include presentations on SEARCA's policy research agenda, Asean's strategies for food, agriculture and forestry, and national priorities across member states.
Participants will also form Thematic Working Groups or TWGs to design collaborative initiatives focused on priority areas under SUSTAIN Southeast Asia. These areas include sustainable agricultural practices, climate resilience, and food security, among others.
SEARCA has invited leading institutions from each of the 11 Southeast Asian countries to join CAPRI, fostering a regional partnership to transform agri-food systems. "This is an opportunity to integrate science, policy, and practice to support sustainable transformation in the region," organizers said.
The center said that the establishment of CAPRI comes at a critical time as Southeast Asia faces challenges such as climate change, population growth, and shifting global food systems. "By promoting policy research and collaboration, CAPRI aims to address these challenges and ensure the region's agricultural sector remains resilient and innovative."
The workshop is expected to lay the groundwork for long-term policy research cooperation across Southeast Asia, positioning CAPRI as a premier platform for shaping the future of agriculture in the region.