SEARCA in the News

Entries from the Philippines bagged the major prizes in the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Photo Contest 2024 that envisions a future where farming thrives in harmony with nature. Launched in November 2024 with the theme "The Future of Farming: Pathways to Carbon-Neutral Agriculture," the annual competition awarded Jayson Berto of the Philippines the top prize for his striking photograph of a university student tending a hydroponics tower garden—a resource-efficient urban farming system that maximizes space and conserves water. "Crop growing is cooler with the hydroponics tower garden of the Central Luzon State… Read more

MICRO-CREDENTIALS are focused, fast and flexible learning programs that recognize a learner's competency in a specific area. They are more niche than traditional certified courses and can emphasize a needed skill for the targeted sector. They can also be used to advance and catalyze actionable solutions in food security and climate change resilience. This was the consensus reached by the first international conference held by the Erasmus program Postgraduate Micro-Credentials in Food Security and Climate Change (PMC-FSCC) in Thailand on Feb. 10 to 12. Kasetsart University as the PMC-FSCC project leader spearheaded the event in collaboration with Work Package 5… Read more

Vehicle Accident Alert and Prevention System, Citrus Peel Organic Pesticide, at Safety Electrical Outlet. Iyan ang mga imbensyong gawa ng mga kabataang siyentista ng Calabarzon na umani ng mga parangal sa ginanap na Los Baños Science Community Foundation, Inc. (LBSCFI) SyenSaya Science Festival 2025. Tinanggap ng STEM students ang kanilang mga parangal sa Closing & Awarding Ceremonies ng piyesta noong Marso 13, 2025 sa SEARCA Umali Auditorium. Inuwi ang kampyonato ng grupo nina Danielle G. Camilo, Joella Fhaye M. Diño, at Jualiana Maxine B. Tesorio ng Bucal National Integrated School (BNIS) mula sa Cavite para sa kanilang imbensyong "VLigtas: Vehicle… Read more

TEN international students from the Kyoto University Graduate School of Economics in Japan recently visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) at the University of the Philippines Los Baños in Laguna. The students, who came with their teachers led by Prof. Shuji Hisano, wanted to learn about SEARCA's youth-focused agriculture initiatives. Sharon Malaiba, SEARCA unit head for partnerships, talked about the Young Forces for Agricultural Innovation (#Y4AGRI) program, a SEARCA initiative for youth engagement. She likewise explained Sowing Seeds: Cultivating Youth's Future in Agriculture program and the Youth in Agri Talk Show, two… Read more

THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) championed carbon-smart agriculture during a sustainability webinar on March 7. In his keynote address at the Webinar on Challenges, Opportunities and Innovation Strategies in Managing Protected Forests for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainability, SEARCA Center Director Glenn Gregorio said, "Agriculture and biodiversity conservation are often framed as conflicting pursuits — as if we must sacrifice one for the other." He said that the real challenge is not choosing between agriculture and biodiversity conservation but finding ways to make agriculture a partner in conservation. The webinar was organized and… Read more

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… Read more

Brimming with sustainability and innovation, the winning images of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Photo Contest 2024 envision a future where farming thrives in harmony with nature. Launched in November 2024 with the theme "The Future of Farming: Pathways to Carbon-Neutral Agriculture," the 18th edition of SEARCA's annual competition awarded Jayson Berto of the Philippines the top prize for his striking photograph of a university student tending a hydroponics tower garden—a resource-efficient urban farming system that maximizes space and conserves water. "Crop growing is cooler with the hydroponics tower garden of the… Read more

Local agriculture startup Mayani is advancing two pre-cooling storage facilities in Batangas and Benguet provinces in the Philipines. The aim is to extend the shelf life of vegetables and other produce, thereby reducing post-harvest losses. Mayani co-founder and CEO JT Solis disclosed that the company secured approximately $1 million in catalytic capital from the Temasek Trust ecosystem for this development. Solis anticipates the pre-cooling facilities to commence operations in the second quarter of this year. Each facility is designed to store 15 to 20 metric tons of produce, with construction timelines ranging from 45 to 65 days. "The two pre-cooling… Read more

The following link will take you to INQUIRER.net:Mayani to put up 2 more cooling facilities for vegetableshttps://business.inquirer.net/513423/mayani-to-put-up-2-more-cooling-facilities-for-vegetables… Read more

Known for decades as the "Tuna Capital of the Philippines," General Santos City, more popularly known as GenSan, has earned a new moniker as an emerging farm tourism hub in Mindanao. It recently hosted the 8th Philippine International Farm Tourism Conference, the country's largest gathering of practitioners and authorities on farm tourism. Organized by the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST) under former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor, the event had the full support of the City Government of Gen. Santos and was held at the city's favored MICE venue, the KCC Mall. Themed "Stimulating Sustainable Economic Growth in Rural Communities… Read more