SEARCA in the News

MAKATI CITY, Philippines — In a significant step toward strengthening resilience and sustainability by integrating human, animal, and environmental health systems, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement (CIRAD), and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) launched the Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean (ASEACA) program in the Philippines. The event was held at the New World Hotel in Makati on March 26–27, 2026. ASEACA is designed to mitigate existing threats and proactively prevent future crises by focusing on risk assessment… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — Representatives of five agricultural policy research institutions signed the CAPRI Membership Agreement, formally launching the Consortium for Agricultural Policy Research Initiatives (CAPRI) as a regional platform for collaborative, evidence-based agricultural policy research. The signing took place on the second day of CAPRI's onboarding workshop, convened by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on April 27–28, 2026. Anchored on SEARCA's 12th Five-Year Development Plan: Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems through Innovation in Southeast Asia (SUSTAIN Southeast Asia), the workshop brought together leading agricultural policy research institutions from 11 Southeast Asian… Read more

The College of Public Affairs and Development of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (CPAf-UPLB), together with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), will conduct the 2nd Science and Technology Impact Assessment Conference on May 25–26, 2026, at Acacia Hotel Manila in Alabang, Muntinlupa. Guided by the theme, "Evaluating What Works in Science, Technology, and Innovation-led Pathways to Development," the… Read more

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… Read more

The DAAD SEARCA Scholarship is a fully funded program for Master's studies in Southeast Asia, focusing on food science and sustainable development. It supports graduates from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, East Timor, Thailand, or Vietnam to pursue degrees at partner institutions like UPLB, UPM, or UGM. The scholarship is offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in cooperation with SEARCA, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture. It aims to strengthen higher education systems in the region and promote development-oriented research and teaching. Learn More… Read more

THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Department of Education (DepEd) are sustaining their efforts to bridge the gap between Filipino farmers and schools, ensuring students receive nutritious meals while supporting local agriculture. At the heart of this program is the recognition that child health and agricultural development are intricately linked. By establishing a direct link between local farmers and educational institutions, we create a mutually beneficial ecosystem that ensures diverse, balanced meals for students, secures stable markets for local agriculture, and educates children about sustainable food systems," said SEARCA Director Mercedita… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—A study by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has found that conflicting priorities among key players in the rice value chain are holding back the full potential of National Seed Industry Council Rice Crop (NSIC Rc) 160, a well-regarded Filipino rice variety noted for its premium grain quality and export potential. Presented by Dr. Jaime Manalo IV during the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Agriculture and Development Seminar Series (ADSS), the research highlights how divergent goals among government agencies, breeders, seed growers, farmers, millers, traders, consumers, and the food industry… Read more

THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has taken steps to enhance the English language skills of its scholars with the successful piloting of the YES! (Your English Sidekick) Micro-credential program. This online initiative, developed in partnership with the College of Development Communication (CDC) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), aims to provide scholars with a flexible and accessible way to improve their English communication skills. The program was born out of necessity since the traditional face-to-face Basic English course had been encountering challenges due to shifting needs and weather-related disruptions… Read more

Farming in the Philippines is an industry of survival, where the very hands that feed the nation often have the least to eat. An analysis by the ASEAN Research Center revealed a paradox: the country's rich biodiversity and fertile lands could not save farmers who continue to face challenges in sustainability and long-term growth. In a fast ageing industry, Philippine agriculture remains a gamble where success is determined by the whims of weather and a farmer's luck. Data from the Department of Agriculture (DA)'s Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) presents a looming struggle in an aging industry… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) College of Development Communication (CDC), has piloted the YES! (Your English Sidekick) Micro credential, an online learning initiative designed to strengthen the English language proficiency of SEARCA scholars. The YES! Micro credential builds on SEARCA's long standing language support initiatives, particularly the Basic English Course, which previously provided month long, face to face training to incoming scholars as part of their onboarding before deployment to their study posts. Over time, changing scholar… Read more