SEARCA in the News

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — Forty-two graduates preparing for the Licensure Examination for Agriculturists gained firsthand exposure to the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture's (SEARCA) education, research and innovation initiatives during a learning visit on Sept. 11, 2026. The examinees are enrolled at Upstep Review Center (URC), a Los Baños-based review center established in 2019 to improve national board passing rates and prepare future frontline agricultural professionals for careers across Philippine industries. Accompanied by staff Joy Aira Bunan, Christine Joy Quinto and Kyle Adaraya, the group was the second URC cohort SEARCA hosted from state… Read more

Other sources: The Visayas Journal, Woman.ph, Manila Magazine Filipinos looking for technology to address specific needs in agriculture, environmental management and natural resources can now use a new digital platform that brings together locally developed biotechnology solutions and connects them with potential research partners. In a news release Tuesday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) spotlights the Pinoy Biotech Hub, officially launched Monday at the opening of the 22nd National Biotechnology Week (NBW). Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) Director Lormelyn Claudio said the bureau and the NBW Inter-Agency Steering Committee (IASC) developed the new hub to address… Read more

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) launched a new digital platform for Filipinos looking for practical science-based solutions for farming, environmental protection and natural resource management and provide easier access to local biotechnology innovations. The DENR introduced the Pinoy Biotech Hub during the opening of the 22nd National Biotechnology Week (NBW), creating a centralized online resource where the public can discover technologies developed by government agencies, universities and industry partners. The platform is designed to make biotechnology more accessible beyond laboratories and research institutions by connecting people with innovations that can address real-world needs in their communities. For… Read more

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) launched on Tuesday, Sept. 22, an accessible digital platform that connects ordinary Filipinos directly to local innovations, practical solutions for specific community needs, and potential collaborators across agriculture, natural resources, and environmental management. Dubbed as the Pinoy Biotech Hub, it functions as a centralized resource that integrates technologies from different government agencies, academic institutions, and industry partners to help users discover innovations and foster research collaborations.It was developed by the DENR Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) alongside the NBW Inter-Agency Steering Committee and was launched during the opening of the 22nd… Read more

QUEZON CITY — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) today launched the Pinoy Biotech Hub during the opening of the 22nd National Biotechnology Week (NBW), offering an accessible digital platform that connects ordinary Filipinos directly to local innovations, practical solutions for specific community needs, and potential collaborators across agriculture, natural resources, and environmental management. Developed by the DENR Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) alongside the NBW Inter-Agency Steering Committee, the hub functions as a centralized resource that integrates technologies from different government agencies, academic institutions, and industry partners to help users discover innovations and foster research collaborations… Read more

The Ensuring Inclusiveness, Sustainability, and Efficiency of Food System Transformation project, through SEARCA, participated in the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Philippines 16th Annual Country Programme Review (ACPoR) and the 12th IFAD Philippines Gender Network (IPGN) General Assembly from 15-17 December 2025 in Davao City, Philippines. With the theme, “Partnerships for Inclusive and Innovative Agrifood Systems: Strengthening Delivery, Sustaining Impact”, the 16th IFAD Philippines ACPoR aimed to inform government and stakeholders of the progress made against IFAD Philippines’ Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) 2023-2028 strategic objectives, the lessons learned, and issues encountered. SEARCA, represented by Ms. Bernice Anne De… Read more

Filipino graduate students were among the most visible presenters at the 11th University Consortium Graduate Forum in Selangor, Malaysia, where more than 50 officials and researchers gathered to explore how academic work can translate into food security solutions. Held August 18 to 19 at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), the forum was organized by the UPM School of Graduate Studies. The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) serves as secretariat of the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources or UC. Themed “Building Research Capacity for Food Security: Innovating Solutions… Read more

Some 21 Dual Agritech scholars and faculty facilitators from Dagatan Family Farm School Inc. (DFFS) visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on Aug. 27 to learn how digital tools and modern technologies are changing agriculture. The visit covered smart farming, agricultural modernization and digital agriculture, giving the young farmers a look at technologies aimed at reducing production costs and improving farm incomes. Reframing farming as smart enterprise SEARCA Deputy Director for Administration Rico Ancog welcomed the delegation and encouraged the scholars to help change the perception of farming from traditional, labor-intensive work… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—Dalawampu’t anim na graduate scholars mula sa Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture o SEARCA ang sumailalim sa limang araw na pagsasanay upang higit na magamit ang kanilang pananaliksik sa pagbuo ng mga policy brief, book chapter at iba pang paraan ng pakikipag-ugnayan sa publiko. Isinagawa ang training na “Beyond the Journal Article: Scientific Writing for Policy and Wider Scholarly Engagement” noong Hulyo 27 hanggang 31, 2026 sa punong tanggapan ng SEARCA, katuwang ang University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Development Communication (UPLB CDC). Dinaluhan ito ng mga master’s at PhD… Read more

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Agriculture and Development Seminar Series (ADSS) on 17 August 2026 featured a talk by Dr. Robert Meeder, Strategic Director and co-founder of The Institute for Future Creations. In his presentation on “From Compliance to Competitive Advantage: Transparency, Digital Product Passports, and the Future of Responsible Trade“, Meeder explained that digital product passports and blockchain technology are capable of enabling producers in the Global South. The discussion followed the European Union’s Digital Product Passport (DPP) Registry rollout in July 2026. Under incoming EU regulations… Read more