SEARCA in the News

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

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — SEARCA, in partnership with EcoSecurities and the University of the Philippines Los Baños Foundation Inc. (UPLBFI), conducted a two day capacity building workshop to strengthen the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation's (PCIC) capabilities in developing data driven, climate resilient agricultural insurance products. Titled "Data Driven Parametric Crop Insurance for Corn: Loss Modeling, Climate Risk, and GIS Based Payout Systems for PCIC," the workshop was held on 5-6 March 2026 at Microtel by Wyndham UP Technohub in Quezon City. It brought together technical staff from PCIC and partner institutions to enhance their skills in designing innovative parametric insurance… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — The Philippines is taking a significant step to expand into the lucrative organic export market with a project titled "Market Assessment of Selected Organic Export Crops in the Philippines," aimed at assessing market opportunities for selected organic crops. The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) and the National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP), has embarked on the mission to unlock the potential of the country's organic agriculture industry. The legal basis for the initiative is Republic Act (RA) 10068, the… Read more

STUDENTS from eight Southeast Asian countries had the chance to reimagine the future of growing food at a recent event in Malaysia. High school learners in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand joined the 14th Regional Congress Search for Seameo Young Scientists (SSYS) in Penang. To read more, visit The Manila Times:Asian students get glimpse of future of agriculturehttps://www.manilatimes.net/2026/04/02/campus-press/asian-students-get-glimpse-of-future-of-agriculture/2312449… Read more

THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) hosted the second installment of the Meet the Diplomat Series (MDS) on March 19, 2026, featuring officials from the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines. The event, held at SEARCA's headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, brought together representatives from the Los Baños Science Community, academic institutions, and partner organizations to explore deeper cooperation in agriculture, education, and innovation. To read more, visit The Manila Times:Spain strengthen ties at 2nd SEARCA Meet the Diplomat Sessionhttps://www.manilatimes.net/2026/04/02/business/agribusiness/spain-strengthen-ties-at-2nd-searca-meet-the-diplomat-session/2312589… Read more

A regional initiative aimed at strengthening coordination between human, animal, and environmental health systems has been launched to address rising risks of zoonotic diseases across Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. The ASEACA project, which focuses on preventing the emergence of diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans, is being positioned as a platform to improve cooperation among national and local stakeholders while aligning strategies on disease prevention and early response systems. At its kick-off meeting, participants from pilot sites in Pampanga and Bukidnon, along with representatives from partner institutions, discussed implementation plans, coordination structures, and priority actions… Read more