The winners of the SEARCA Photo Contest 2024 captured the future of farming with stunning images showcasing sustainability and innovation. The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) launched the contest in November 2024 with the theme "The Future of Farming: Pathways to Carbon-Neutral Agriculture."
Top Winners: Showcasing Smart Farming
First Prize: Jayson Berto (Philippines) won for his photo of a university student tending a hydroponics tower garden—an urban farming system that saves space and water. Berto hopes this image encourages more young people to explore modern farming.
Second Prize: Klienne Eco (Philippines) captured a solar-powered irrigation system alongside a lush rice field, emphasizing how solar technology can reduce costs for farmers and support sustainable agriculture.
Third Prize: Mark Lienel Padecio (Philippines) highlighted container gardening as a practical urban farming method. His photo shows how repurposed materials like plastic bottles and boxes can be used to grow fresh food at home while reducing waste.
Special Awards: Tradition Meets Innovation
SEARCA Director's Choice Award: Kyaw Zay Yar Lin (Myanmar) for his photo of duck breeders and fishers using traditional methods for sustainable livelihoods.
DepEd Secretary's Special Choice Award: Min Min Zaw (Myanmar) for a breathtaking night fishing scene showcasing the deep connection between fishermen and nature.
People's Choice Award: Aung Chan Thar (Myanmar) for a vibrant flower farm in Vietnam, demonstrating how floating gardens can minimize environmental impact.
Best Youth Photographer: Rahmad Himawan (Indonesia) for an aerial shot of a vast rice field in North Bengkulu Regency, Indonesia, capturing the beauty of rural farming.
Celebrating Agriculture Through Photography
SEARCA Center Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio praised the winning entries for highlighting sustainable farming, technology, and agricultural traditions in Southeast Asia. He emphasized that the contest raises awareness about key agricultural issues and trends in the region.
The next SEARCA Photo Contest, its 19th edition, will open in September 2025.