LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) said it is pioneering initiatives in smart agriculture, carbon neutrality, One Health, and biotechnology.
Center Director Mercedita Sombilla said SEARCA's 12th Five-Year Development Plan: Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems through Innovation in Southeast Asia (SUSTAIN Southeast Asia) "positions the center at the forefront of accelerating the transformation of regional agriculture from subsistence farming to modern, high-productivity enterprises by integrating science, policy, and practice."
Sombilla showcased key programs under SEARCA, including the National Taiwan University-SEARCA Joint Scholarship Program, which supports postgraduate studies in Global Agriculture Technology, Genomic Science, Biodiversity, and Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience.
She also highlighted the impact of the Rice Straw Biogas Hub (RSBH) — a climate-mitigation initiative in the Philippines funded by Innovate UK — which converts rice straw into biochar and compost for soil regeneration, clean energy, and value-added products, further supporting regenerative agriculture.
Meanwhile, Sombilla announced upcoming SEARCA training programs in digital agriculture and precision farming, designed to foster transformational agricultural innovations across Southeast Asia.
She also mentioned the Erasmus+-funded Postgraduate Micro-Credentials in Food Security and Climate Change or PMC FSCC, delivered via the SEARCA-established Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources.
"These flexible, digital learning modules are designed to reskill and upskill workers to meet the evolving needs of the labor market," Sombilla said.
SEARCA also collaborates with the French Agricultural Research Center for International Development or Cirad, including the Partnership for Sustainable Aquaculture in ASEAN or AquASEAN — which advocates for resilient, sustainable aquaculture through circular economy principles — and the Action-ready Sustainable Energy Solutions for the Agricultural Sector in ASEAN or Aseaca project, geared toward strengthening One Health strategies.
SEARCA's other biotechnology initiatives, like the Strengthening the Enabling Environment for the Development and Uptake of Modern Agricultural Biotechnology Project, focus on enhancing biosafety governance across the region.
Sombilla emphasized SEARCA's commitment to supporting innovative research through its Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions, funding breakthroughs in digital agriculture, biotechnology, and waste decarbonization.
According to her, these initiatives were showcased at the recently held 2025 X Agriculture Forum, a prestigious event hosted by NTU College of Bioresources and Agriculture on Dec. 2, 2025, in Taipei, Taiwan.
The forum serves as a preparatory meeting for the upcoming 2026 Agriculture Summit. The forum also provided a valuable platform for SEARCA to share best practices, foster alliances, and remain attuned to emerging trends, further strengthening its mission to build inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agricultural systems throughout Southeast Asia and beyond.
"Together with our partners, SEARCA is helping to drive Southeast Asia's transformation towards smart, sustainable, climate-resilient, and innovation-driven agricultural systems. By bringing together science, policy, and practice, we are empowering communities, strengthening governance, and shaping a future of resilience and prosperity for generations to come," Sombilla said.