SEARCA in the News

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has underscored the vital role of the science-policy-practice interface in achieving resilient and sustainable food systems. Speaking at the 3rd International Conference on Food, Environment, and Culture (ICFEC), held from 5 to 7 November 2025 at the Hotel Supreme, SEARCA Center Director Dr. Mercedita Sombilla advocated for a bold, systemic shift in Southeast Asia's agrifood sector. In her keynote address, Dr. Sombilla championed the Science-Policy-Practice Interface (SPPI) as a bridge connecting research, governance, and community action. Emphasizing the importance of stronger multi-stakeholder collaboration… Read more

THE Philippines is on the cusp of a biotechnological revolution, with the potential to transform the country's agriculture, food security, and public health. A recent forum in Manila brought together scientists, regulators, and media professionals to discuss the latest advances in biotechnology and its applications in the country. The event, organized by Science Communicators Philippines (SciCommPH), CropLife Philippines, and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture on October 14, 2025, highlighted the vital role of biotechnology in addressing the country's pressing challenges. Dr. Ruby Roan Cristobal, President of SciCommPH, emphasized that biotechnology is crucial for… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — The Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Enhancement (SAFE) Acceleration Program, a joint initiative of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and Villgro Philippines, has helped three gender-inclusive agri-enterprises across Southeast Asia expand climate-resilient business models and attract key investments. Launched earlier this year, the SAFE Acceleration Program provided mentorship, market validation, and investment readiness support for early-stage agricultural enterprises. Over four months, participating enterprises joined diagnostic panels, learning labs, masterclasses, and peer exchanges, including 36 hours of one-on-one mentoring from 16 experts and trainers. The program culminated in the… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has opened nominations for the Outstanding SEARCA Scholarship Alumni (OSSA) 2026 award. The program recognizes SEARCA scholarship alumni who completed their master's or doctoral degrees and have made significant contributions to sustainable agricultural and rural development (ARD) in Southeast Asia. The OSSA 2026 award highlights the achievements of individuals who exemplify SEARCA's core values and philosophy in their professional fields. The award seeks to honor leaders and innovators who emerged from SEARCA's long-standing “Golden Harvest" of scholars. Nominees will be recognized in teaching… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), recently conducted a consultation workshop to finalize a unified monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tool for the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (GPP) and the School-plus-Home Gardens cum Biodiversity Enhancement and Enterprise (SHGBEE) Program. The workshop was held on 11–12 November 2025 in Los Baños, Laguna. The M&E tool is a key step in strengthening nationwide efforts to promote food security, nutrition education, and sustainable livelihoods through integrated school and home gardening. Developed collaboratively by SEARCA, DepEd… Read more

The Central Luzon State University (CLSU), through its International Affairs Office (IAO), in collaboration with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC), formally opened the International Summer Short-term Program (ISSP) 2025 on Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability yesterday, November 17, 2025. Now in its fifth year, the joint program highlights key sustainability areas, including crop biotechnology, mushroom pharming, and precision and digital agriculture. As an affiliate member of the University Consortium, CLSU continues to advance mutually beneficial partnerships by maximizing… Read more

Rice serves as the essential sustenance for the Philippines, nourishing more than 115 million Filipinos and supporting countless smallholder farmers. But planting rice is never fun, so goes a line from a familiar folk song. Still, a lot of Filipino farmers continued to grow rice. Statistics indicate that there are 2.9 million Filipinos involved in rice farming and related activities within the country. Rice cultivation occurs over approximately 4.8 million hectares, of which 3.28 million hectares are irrigated, while the remaining 1.51 million hectares consist of non-irrigated areas, including rainfed and upland regions, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. The… Read more

As North India continues to grapple with winter smog, mainly attributed to stubble burning, a breakthrough in rice farming technology offers a potential solution. Straw Traktor, a machine developed by London-headquartered agritech company Straw Innovations, turns leftover paddy straw into biochar and renewable energy, improves soil health, and even opens the possibility of a third rice harvest each year. The company plans to bring the technology to India next year through a partnership with Innovate UK, UKAid and Earthshot Prize winner, Takachar, a Delhi-based clean-tech start-up. The announcement comes at a time when India, the world's second-largest rice producer, is… Read more

A COLLABORATIVE initiative by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and Villgro Philippines has empowered three gender-inclusive agri-enterprises across Southeast Asia to scale up climate-resilient business models and unlock critical investment opportunities. Called the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Enhancement (SAFE) Acceleration Program, the initiative was launched earlier this year offering mentorship, market validation and investment readiness support for early-stage agricultural enterprises. Participants underwent diagnostic panels, interactive learning labs, masterclasses, and peer exchanges, which culminate in 36 hours of personalized mentoring from 16 experts and trainers for more than a four-month journey. Spotlighting… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines – The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and Nagoya University (NU) officially signed a memorandum of agreement on 13 October 2025 to establish the Nagoya University-SEARCA Joint Transnational PhD Scholarship for Philippine Nationals. The formal signing reaffirmed the two institutions' enduring partnership, which traces its roots back to 1986. Tailored for working professionals in engineering, agriculture, international development, and environmental studies, the transnational PhD scholarship program enables participants to earn their doctorates without leaving their current employment or home countries. The innovative initiative blends face-to-face supervision with online engagement and… Read more