SEARCA

05/09/2025

The 19th SEARCA Photo Contest, with the theme “Beyond the Harvest: People and Processes in the Agriculture Value Chain,” is now officially open.

From sorting and packaging to storage and transport, from processing and branding to markets and last-mile delivery—shine a light on the in-between journeys of food and the people and technologies that make them possible.

Submissions are now accepted until 30 November 2025, 11:59 PM (GMT+8) at photocontest.searca.org/2025.

The contest is open to nationals of the 11 Southeast Asian countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.

Prizes awaiting the top three winners are USD 1,000, USD 800, and USD 500 plus an additional USD 500 for the SEARCA Center Director’s Choice.

05/09/2025

📸 IN PHOTOS:

, through the Emerging Innovation for Growth Department (EIGD), represented by Ms. Lichelle Carlos, Program Specialist, visited Mindanao State University (MSU), Marawi City, to monitor insect rearing, processing, and strawberry rooftop facilities for a project on advancing superworms as healthy, protein-rich food.

Funded by the SEARCA Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions (GRAINS), the project, led by Dr. Emma Sabado, in collaboration with Dr. Mobarak Hadji Amin, has piloted a marketing outlet for superworm-based fried snacks, strawberry ice cream, brownies, cookies, macaroons, and other products in Cagayan de Oro City. MSU Marawi Vice Chancellor for Research, Extension, and Development Dr. Fema Abamo expressed support for the project and gratitude for the funding.

05/09/2025

Join us at the Agriculture and Development Seminar Series (ADSS) featuring Dr. Oskar Lecuyer of Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

Ocean Sustainability in Southeast Asia: Piloting the Blue Environmental Sustainability Gap (BlueESGAP)
📅 Date: 12 September 2025 (Friday)
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM (GMT+8:00)
📍 Venue: SEARCA Sam-Arng Room, Los Baños, Laguna

Seats are limited. Secure your slot and register now: bit.ly/ADSS-Sep12

04/09/2025

At the recent ADSS, Dr. Ma. Carmen Ablan-Lagman of De La Salle University reminded attendees that solving coastal poverty requires collaboration across disciplines and listening closely to the lived experiences of coastal communities. 🌊

📺 Missed the session? Catch the livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orfcVHvgel0

03/09/2025

📸 IN PHOTOS:

Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, Center Director, accentuated the vital role of nutrition in transforming food systems and promoting inclusive rural communities during her welcome message at the 2025 Philippine Stakeholders for Nutrition and Dietetics (PSND, Inc.) Convention.

Assoc. Prof. Rolando Bello, Vice Chancellor for Administration, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), delivered a welcoming address on behalf of UPLB Chancellor Dr. Jose Camacho, Jr. Additionally, Dr. Clarissa Juanico, President of PSND, Inc., delivered the opening remarks.

In her keynote address, Dr. Leah Buendia, Undersecretary for Research and Development, Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST), emphasized the urgent need to improve the nutritional landscape of the Philippines. Her presentation titled “Improving the Nutritional Situation of the Philippines through Innovative Solutions and Research” highlighted the multifaceted challenges facing the nation, including malnutrition, food insecurity, and the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases. She also discussed various DOST initiatives aimed at addressing these challenges.

With the theme “PSND SHINES: Sustainable Health through Innovations in Nutrition and Empowerment of Stakeholders,” the event, which runs on 3-4 September 2025, convenes healthcare professionals, experts, advocates, and key decision-makers to exchange insights on innovative strategies, cutting-edge research, and practical approaches for advancing sustainable health and nutrition outcomes.

SEARCA aims to empower stakeholders throughout the value chain—including farmers, educators, researchers, and policymakers—recognizing that each plays a crucial role in achieving food and nutrition security. SEARCA is hosting the event.

03/09/2025

📷IN PHOTOS:

researchers, through the Rice Straw Biogas Hub project Work Package 5 under the Emerging Innovation for Growth Department, presented at the 13th Global Conference on Global Warming (GCGW 2025) and International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Green Technology (SEGT 2025) held last 17-20 August 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Engr. Anna Elaine Matanguihan and Engr. Bernadette Magadia presented two separate papers: (1) Direct greenhouse gas emissions in dry-season rice cultivation: Evaluating the role of straw management in the Philippines and (2) From farm to market: Understanding conventional practices, productivity, and the economic and environmental impacts of rice farming in Victoria, Laguna, Philippines. Engr. Mica Angel Evangelista, a co-author of the papers, captured the advances in carbon capture methodologies that will further enhance current research findings.

The research results were presented to more than 180 participants hailing from over 20 countries.

The international conference is a culmination of initiatives and projects toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targeted at climate action and addressing ongoing challenges in energy and the environment.

03/09/2025

Young Southeast Asian leaders from Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines took the spotlight as speakers in a special webinar held by on 14 August 2025 via Zoom and Facebook Live.

Young Southeast Asian leaders from Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines took the spotlight as speakers in a special webinar held by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 14 August 2025 via Zoom and Facebook Live. In line with International....

02/09/2025

𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐒 📣📣📣

The Seed Fund for Research and Training (SFRT) provides grants of up to USD 15,000 for research/training.

The SFRT provides chosen research and training project proposals with limited start-up funds to enhance the chances of securing long-term support from donor agencies.

⚡Deadline: 31 October 2025

For more information, please visit https://www.searca.org/sfrt or email sfrt@searca.org.

02/09/2025

On 2 September 1945, President Hồ Chí Minh declared the at Ba Đình Square in Hanoi.

Vietnam has been a member country of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), 's mother organization, since 1992.

SEARCA joins Vietnam in celebrating its independence day! Chúc mừng ngày quốc khánh, Vietnam!
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Featured photo by Tran Van Tuy

31/08/2025

31 August marks the day the Federation of Malaysia gained independence from the UK in 1957. ✨

Malaysia is one of the founding member countries of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), established in 1965. is one of the 26 specialist institutions of SEAMEO.

SEARCA joins Malaysia in celebrating its independence day! Selamat Hari Merdeka! 🇲🇾

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Featured photo by Chong Keng Loy from Malaysia

29/08/2025

Seventy review students preparing for the Licensure Examination for Agriculturists enrolled at Upstep Review Center, accompanied by two staff members, visited SEARCA on 28 August 2025.

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—Seventy review students preparing for the Licensure Examination for Agriculturists enrolled at Upstep Review Center, accompanied by two staff members, Ms. Anj Cordero and Ms. Joy Aira Bunan, visited the Southeast Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agricultur...

28/08/2025

📸 IN PHOTOS:

This morning, 70 review students preparing for the Licensure Examination for Agriculturists, along with two staff members from Upstep Review Center, visited . They were welcomed by Assoc. Prof. Joselito Florendo, SEARCA Deputy Director for Administration and key Partnerships Unit staff.

Founded in 2019, Upstep Review Center aims to raise the national passing percentage in board examinations and empower the young generation of professionals who will be the frontliners of various industries in the Philippines.

During the visit, the students learn about SEARCA and its programs and initiatives. Following the presentation, they were treated to an engaging tour of the SEARCA Hub for Agriculture and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation and the SEARCA Sky Garden. Additionally, they had a special screening of the third episode of the SEARCA Youth in Agri Talk Show, which highlighted the transformative role of gardening in youth development.