SEARCA in the News

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) awarded Dr. Hershey Mondejar the full training grant, covering online modules and in-person attendance at the 2026 Executive Program for Leaders in Asian Agriculture and Development in Singapore from February 23-27. Dr. Mondejar, who went through a highly selective process, secured her place with "Futuring Project" which channelizes agrifood insights into actionable initiatives for CTU Barili, where she has served as a tenured professor. Her participation at the international forum demonstrates the university's research-driven approach to supporting Southeast Asia's food security initiatives. Founded in 1966, SEARCA is… Read more

AGRITECHNICA ASIA ซึ่งจัดร่วมกับ HortEx จะนำชุมชนเกษตรกรรมนานาชาติมารวมตัวกันอีกครั้งที่ BITEC กรุงเทพมหานคร โดยยืนยันบทบาทในฐานะศูนย์กลางการพัฒนาธุรกิจ การถ่ายทอดเทคโนโลยี และการแลกเปลี่ยนองค์ความรู้ประยุกต์ด้านเครื่องจักรกลการเกษตรและพืชสวนในภูมิภาคเอเชีย งานนี้จัดโดย German Agricultural Society (DLG) ร่วมกับกระทรวงเกษตรและสหกรณ์ของไทย (MOAC) โดยมีประเทศเยอรมนีเป็นประเทศพันธมิตรอย่างเป็นทางการซึ่งเป็นตัวแทนโดย Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Regional Identity (BMLEH) คาดว่างาน AGRITECHNICA ASIA และ HortEx 2026 จะต้อนรับผู้เข้าชมเชิงวิชาชีพกว่า 18,000 คนจากมากกว่า 75 ประเทศ โดยมีผู้แสดงสินค้ากว่า 350 ราย พร้อมโปรแกรมการประชุมและองค์ความรู้ครอบคลุมกับวิทยากรนานาชาติและเซสชันวิชาการกว่า 100 รายการ… Read more

THE Laguna, Philippines-based Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and Kasetsart University (KU) in Thailand have officially signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to launch the KU–SEARCA Joint Graduate Scholarship Program. Through the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Faculty of Economics at KU, the agreement strengthens the shared commitment of SEARCA and KU to cultivating highly trained professionals in agriculture and resource economics across Southeast Asia. SEARCA Center Director Mercedita Sombilla and KU Acting President Damrong Sripraram led the signing of the MOA, which establishes a three-year collaborative scholarship program beginning in academic… Read more

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) officially launched its newest knowledge-sharing platform, the Meet the Diplomats Series (MDS), on 23 February 2026. This inaugural session featured Her Excellency Makawadee Sumitmor, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Republic of the Philippines, as the guest of honor. The event brought together a curated audience of diplomatic officials, government representatives, and specialists from the Los Baños Science Community, academe, and partner institutions to witness the launch of a platform designed to bridge the gap between foreign policy and regional agricultural goals. In her welcome… Read more

PASIG CITY, Philippines — Consolidation is emerging as a key strategy to strengthen Philippine agriculture and empower smallholders. This was the central message of the Food and Agribusiness Forum: Harnessing Economies of Scale: Consolidation Pathways for Philippine Food and Agribusiness, convened by the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 30 January 2026 at UA&P. The forum convened 82 stakeholders from government, academe, agribusiness, cooperatives, farmers' groups, and development organizations to explore practical models for integrating value chains, reducing farm fragmentation, and scaling inclusive agribusiness… Read more

THE role of robotics in agriculture and its potential to shape sustainable farming futures were showcased to 18 Grade 12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics students from Reedley International School (Reedley), accompanied by their teachers, during a tour at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on Jan. 28. The field trip, which added a play-to-learn dimension, intended to expose young learners to cutting-edge agricultural technologies, sparking their curiosity and engagement. One highlight was the visit to the SEARCA Hub for Agricultural and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation AgriMuseum. According to program specialist… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — Eighteen Grade 12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students of Reedley International School, accompanied by their teachers, visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 28 January 2026 to explore the role of robotics in agriculture. Reedley International School is a private, nonsectarian, nontraditional, and co-educational school in Pasig City, Philippines, that combines progressive and traditional learning approaches. SEARCA has hosted Reedley International students since 2023. During the visit, the students were given a tour of the SEARCA Hub for Agricultural and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation… Read more

CEBU CITY – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) met with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Cebu to identify strategic opportunities for institutional strengthening and capacity development in support of effective climate action at the provincial level. The engagement forms part of the Commission's continuing efforts to deepen collaboration with local governments and ensure the integration of climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) into provincial and municipal development planning processes. During the meeting, the PDRRMO presented Cebu's climate and disaster risk profile, highlighting historical impacts, current vulnerabilities, and ongoing initiatives to address climate-related… Read more

PENANG, Malaysia—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) inspired the next generation of Southeast Asian scientists to reimagine the future of agriculture through an interactive session at the 14th Regional Congress Search for SEAMEO Young Scientists (SSYS), held on 10 February 2026. The congress was organized by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics (RECSAM) and gathered secondary-level Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students from eight SEAMEO member countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Designed to broaden… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines— The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) have formalized a strategic partnership through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on 12 February 2026. The agreement outlines joint initiatives in agricultural education, research, innovation, and capacity building across Southeast Asia and other tropical fruit-producing regions. TFNet, established in 2000 under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is an intergovernmental and inter-institutional organization dedicated to promoting sustainable global development in tropical fruit production, consumption, and trade. Under the five-year… Read more