SEARCA

08/05/2026

📸 IN PHOTOS:

Last week, 19 research and extension professionals from six SEAMEO member countries completed the 2026 Training Workshop on Transformational Agricultural Innovation Systems (TrAInS) for the New Future of . Awarding of certificates of completion was held at Putra Science Park, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), during the three-day in-person sessions.

Participants came from six SEAMEO member countries, particularly Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In his closing remarks, Associate Professor Dr. Saiful Hasley Ramli, Deputy Director for Promotion and Management of Intellectual Property at Putra Science Park, recounted the activities conducted over the past three days, which included site visits around UPM showcasing the university’s agricultural innovation landscape, as well as workshops for the development and presentation of the participants’ Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS) action plans. He encouraged the participants to carry the spirit of collaboration they fostered at UPM back to their home institutions.

Dr. Nova Ramos, Head of the Training for Development Unit under SEARCA’s Education and Collective Learning Department, took the opportunity to thank UPM for collaborating with SEARCA in holding the in-person sessions and expressed hope for future collaborations. Addressing the participants, she congratulated them on completing the 2026 TrAInS, stating that they now belong to SEARCA’s network of more than 22,000 training alumni. She also encouraged them to be creative in securing support from their institutions for the implementation of their AIS action plans and to strive hard to realize those plans.

The training program was implemented in collaboration with UPM, the New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries, Centre for Research Innovation and Science Policy (CRISP), and the Asia-Pacific Islands Rural Advisory Services Network (APIRAS).

07/05/2026

07/05/2026

is set to air the fourth episode of its Youth in Agri Talk Show on 15 May 2026 at 7:00 p.m. (GMT +8:00) on the Center's page.

Titled "Climate Detectives: The Case of the Changing Climate," the episode takes the youth on a playful journey into bizarre climate mysteries, helping them better understand how climate change affects agriculture and everyday life. 🌦️🌱🧑🏻‍🌾🤸



Young Forces for Agricultural Innovation

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) is set to air the fourth episode of its Youth in Agri Talk Show on 15 May 2026 at 7:00 p.m. (GMT +8:00) on the Center's page. Titled "Climate Detectives: The Case of the Changing Climate,& #34...

05/05/2026

Hey, YOUth! 's Youth in Agri Talk Show is back!

Catch the fourth episode, "Climate Detectives: The Case of the Changing Climate," on 15 May 2026 (Friday), at 7:00 p.m. (GMT +8:00) via SEARCA's official page.

Join our youth ambassadors, Zam and Matt, together with students from Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, as they become junior detectives investigating climate change and its impact on everyone---especially farmers and young people like them.

To solve the case, they call in their Chief Detective, Mr. Ochie San Juan, Chief Farmer and Co-Founder of MAYANI.

Save the date! 🌦️

Young Forces for Agricultural Innovation

05/05/2026

What does an innovation ecosystem actually look like in practice?

is partnering with DLG e.V. – German Agricultural Society for Startup Day at AGRITECHNICA ASIA — bringing together startups, corporates, researchers, and policymakers to shape the future of agriculture.

We’re teaming up with:
• Agentur für Wirtschaft und Entwicklung
• Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)
• NEVONEX powered by Bosch

to bring a hackathon into the field with use cases that reflect real needs in precision farming:
• Where’s My Machine? – Real-time tracking and monitoring of machine fleets
• Driver Monitoring – Rewarding efficient and sustainable driving behaviour
• Master of Plowing – Optimizing autonomous field operations under time pressure
• Surprise Box – Creating value from a single machine interface

These are not abstract ideas. They are concrete problems — translated into an open format where new perspectives can lead to new solutions.

That’s the bridge we care about most: from ecosystem → to application.

We’re excited to see these challenges go live at AGRITECHNICA ASIA.�Register here to participate: https://lnkd.in/d5jJVFF3

05/05/2026

📸 IN PHOTOS:

joins 2026 National Innovation Day! 🇵🇭🤖🌱

SEARCA participated in the held on 28–29 April 2026. The celebration centered on the theme, “AGOS ASEAN: AI for Growth, Opportunity, and Sustainability in ASEAN.”

SEARCA and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development led the Food and Agribusiness Hackathon. This event is a timely platform to showcase the Philippine innovation agenda, highlight the transformative role of artificial intelligence, and affirm the country’s leadership in a future-ready, inclusive, and resilient ASEAN. The event gathered stakeholders from the academe, government, and industry, as well as young, bright minds from higher education institutions nationwide.

Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, SEARCA Center Director, presented a scene-setter on Food and Agribusiness, highlighting the sectoral context, priority innovation challenges, and AI-enabled solutions across ASEAN, such as price forecasting, reducing food waste, early warning on climate risks, and digital advisory services for remote farmers. Dr. Sombilla summed up that “AI can turn today’s problems into tomorrow’s opportunities.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Emil John Cabrera, Program Head and Ms. Lichelle Dara Carlos, Program Specialist, both of the SEARCA Emerging Innovation for Growth Department (EIGD), together with Dr. Ruel Maningas, UA&P School of Management Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs and Research; Mr. JT Solis, Co-founder and CEO of Mayani Philippines; and Dr. Paolo Sanchez, Director of Digital Innovation Center, UPLB, served as resource speakers and mentors for the HABI 4.0 Workshop (Huddle, Analyze, Build, Innovate).

SEARCA also set up an institutional exhibit on the Center’s innovation-focused initiatives.

05/05/2026

📸 IN PHOTOS:

presents a proposed policy framework recognizing food security as not only a matter of production but also of resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability across ASEAN.

The policy framework, which is among the initiatives under the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship this year, aims to establish a regionally harmonized, business-driven food security strategy by strengthening Public-Private-Producer Partnerships (4Ps) and positioning the private sector as the cornerstone for driving sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food systems.

Developed by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Philippines in collaboration with SEARCA, the framework was presented by SEARCA Center Director Dr. Mercedita Sombilla at a multi-stakeholder high-level roundtable discussion held on 4 May 2026.

This was followed by a response session moderated by Dr. William Dar, ASEAN-BAC Philippines Senior Adviser. Twenty-four representatives from the Philippine government agencies, businesses, producers, and farmer groups responded and provided their insights on the framework.

During the program, SEARCA and ASEAN-BAC Philippines also formalized their cooperation by signing a five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU). This partnership, ushered in by the development of the ASEAN Food Security Policy Framework, reaffirms both institutions’ commitment to ensuring that regional strategies are data-driven and guided by innovation and sustainable practices.

04/05/2026

The University of the Philippines Los Baños is rolling out its first batch of vegetable packs to support the hardworking farmers in Nagcarlan, Laguna, Philippines. 🥕🥦🧅🌶️

Through the Agri-Bayanihan project, the university aims to bridge the gap between local produce and your tables, ensuring that our farmers get the support they deserve.

To place orders, scan the QR CODE or click thid link: https://forms.gle/GoqwGeRVy7fbbBmU6.

Learn more about the Agri-Bayanihan project here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1E9Bbawic2/

04/05/2026

Happening this Thursday — join us in an online forum with some of the world’s leading agricultural experts as we dissect how global conflicts are reshaping food security in Southeast Asia and beyond.

🌾 Harvests at Risk: Geopolitics and Food Security in Southeast Asia - A Forum on Empirical Insights on Agriculture and Food Security Amid the Middle East Conflicts

🗓️7 May 2026
🕙 10:00–11:30 AM (GMT+8)
🖥️ Zoom and SEARCA Facebook Live
🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/searca-forum

02/05/2026

The SEAMEO-Japan ESD Award 2026 is now open.

This year’s theme focuses on “𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬: 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐈”

Schools across Southeast Asia are invited to share their programmes that:
• promote meaningful learning and holistic student well-being (emotional and social) through thoughtful use of AI and digital technologies
• address sustainability challenges in their communities

To participate, schools are required to:
• submit the submission document using the official template (available on the website only) with a 3-minute video presenting the programme
• complete the online submission form

🗓️ Submission period: Now until 15 July 2026
👉 Full information and the submission link are available in the comments.

The SEAMEO-Japan ESD Award 2026 is now open.

This year’s theme focuses on “𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬: 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐈”

Schools across Southeast Asia are invited to share their programmes that:
• promote meaningful learning and holistic student well-being (emotional and social) through thoughtful use of AI and digital technologies
• address sustainability challenges in their communities

To participate, schools are required to:
• submit the submission document using the official template (available on the website only) with a 3-minute video presenting the programme
• complete the online submission form

🗓️ Submission period: Now until 15 July 2026
👉 Full information and the submission link are available in the comments.

Please feel free to share this announcement with schools and educators in your network.

01/05/2026

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS!

Ready to share your research with the world?
Apply for the Travel Grants Program (STGP) and take your work to international conferences. ✈️

DEADLINE: 31 May 2026
Learn more: https://www.searca.org/travel-grants