LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) will lead the development of a regional micro-credential curriculum on regenerative and resilient agriculture in collaboration with two other centers under the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO).
The 12-month project, funded through the Seameo Inter-Centre Collaboration (ICC) Grant, will design and pilot test a competency-based curriculum for agricultural educators, technical-vocational trainers, extension workers, and early-career practitioners across the region.
SEARCA is partnering with the SEAMEO Regional Open Learning Centre (SEAMOLEC) and the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (RIHED) for the initiative titled “Developing and Pilot Testing a Micro-Credential Curriculum on Regenerative and Resilient Agriculture for Southeast Asia.” The three institutions were selected in the first round of the ICC Grant, which supports joint programs addressing shared regional priorities.
Training on regenerative agriculture in Southeast Asia remains uneven, according to project documents. Many current opportunities are tied to short-term donor-funded projects or private sector programs. Universities, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, and extension agencies often lack structured materials that can be integrated into regular courses or continuing professional development.
The demand for standardized training has increased as climate-related disasters, erratic rainfall, and extreme temperatures affect crop yields and rural livelihoods.
To address this, the partners will produce open-access learning materials delivered through a mobile-friendly online platform. Institutions will be able to use or adapt the modules at no cost.
The curriculum will be made up of three self-paced modules: foundations of regenerative agriculture; regenerative farming practices and agroecological systems; and climate-adaptive farm planning and implementation.
Topics under consideration include cover cropping, minimal tillage, composting, agroforestry, integrated pest management, water retention, soil restoration, and farm-level biodiversity. The final scope will be determined after consultations with stakeholders in target countries.
Aligned with regional frameworks
The project supports the Asean Food, Agriculture and Forestry Sectoral Plan 2026–2030, which identifies sustainable and regenerative measures, decarbonization, and climate resilience as priority areas. It also aligns with Seameo priorities on TVET, climate resilience, food security, and higher education.
Implementation will begin with a rapid training needs assessment in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand. Universities, TVET providers, extension specialists, and industry representatives in those countries will be consulted to identify the knowledge and practical skills needed across different farming systems and agroecological zones.
SEARCA and its partners will also review existing curricula, Asean frameworks, and national qualifications systems before finalizing competencies and learning outcomes.
At least 30 learners from the three pilot countries will participate in the test run. Feedback from participants and data on learning outcomes will be used to refine the modules before public release.
The project will encourage participation from women, rural practitioners, Indigenous peoples, and other underrepresented groups in agriculture.
Division of responsibilities
Under the collaboration, SEARCA will manage overall project implementation. Its tasks include leading the training needs assessment, developing the competency framework, writing the modules, conducting quality assurance, and carrying out the pilot test in the Philippines.
SEAMOLEC will convert the technical content into self-paced online modules, host the course on its learning management system, provide technical and learner support, and organize the pilot in Indonesia.
RIHED will advise on quality assurance and assessment, alignment with national qualifications frameworks, credit transfer, and possible pathways for institutional recognition of the micro-credential.
In addition to producing the course, the partners will document lessons on competency-based curriculum design, quality assurance, alignment with qualifications frameworks, and potential recognition pathways for agricultural micro-credentials.
Project implementers said the documentation could inform regional discussions on how short, focused courses can be recognized, stacked, or credited toward formal qualifications.
Broader institutional adoption and cross-border portability are identified as longer-term goals. Achieving these will require sustained policy dialogue and cooperation among education and agriculture agencies in Southeast Asia.
The initiative is part of Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems through Innovation in Southeast Asia, or Sustain Southeast Asia, the central theme of SEARCA’s 12th Five-Year Development Plan for FY 2025/2026 to 2029/2030. It also contributes to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals on quality education, zero hunger, and climate action.
SEARCA said the modules are targeted for completion and pilot testing within the 12-month grant period. After revisions, the materials will be released publicly as open educational resources for use across the region.