SEARCA

11/03/2026

Ten Development Communication and Communication students from Ateneo de Naga University, accompanied by their professor, visited on 6 March 2026 to learn about the Center's communication initiatives and the critical role of communication in advancing agriculture.

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—Ten Development Communication and Communication students from Ateneo de Naga University, accompanied by their professor, Mr. Jan Victor Agna, visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 6 March 2026 to learn about t...

10/03/2026

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Policy Briefs Vol. 2026 No. 1: Making Agricultural Drones Accessible to Philippine Rice Farmers by Jaime A. Manalo IV and Cristine Joy S. Corpuz is NOW AVAILABLE!

This study looked into the various aspects that could influence the uptake of agricultural drones in rice in the Philippines with the aim of identifying courses of action to assist in the massive deployment of drones in Philippine rice fields—a move expected to enhance profitability among rice farmers.

Download it here: https://www.searca.org/pubs/briefs-notes?pid=630

10/03/2026

In celebration of International Women’s Month, join us at the Agriculture and Development Seminar Series (ADSS) as we highlight the role of gender mainstreaming and gender-transformative policies in advancing agrifood systems transformation.

Featured Speakers:

Ms. Isnawati Hidayah
Researcher, Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS), Jakarta, Indonesia

Ms. Kae Mihara
Gender Officer, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

📅 16 March 2026 (Monday)
⏰ 2:00 PM (GMT+8:00)
📍 SEARCA Drilon Hall, Los Baños, Laguna

Secure your slot and register now:
🔗 bit.ly/ADSS-March16

10/03/2026

📸 IN PHOTOS:
participated in the 6th Regional Crop Biotechnology Symposium organized by the Philippine Department of Agriculture - Crop Biotechnology Center on 5 March 2026. The event gathered Senior High School STEM students from the Philippine Department of Education - Regional Office III, along with universities and research institutions within the Philippine Rice Research Institute community.

The Center set up an institutional exhibit to showcase its programs, services, and key publications. It highlighted publication series such as the agriculture and development notes and policy papers. In addition, several knowledge and advocacy publications were displayed, including biotechnology-focused materials: Modern Animal Biotechnology, The Bounty of Bt: Stories of Success from Bt Corn Growers, A Bt-ful Solution, and We Can Be Friends: Harvesting the Benefits of Co-existence.

The event provided an opportunity for SEARCA to promote its graduate degree programs, scholarships, and research initiatives while engaging future scientists and strengthening collaboration with academic and research partners. Through its participation, SEARCA reinforced its commitment to developing the next generation of agricultural scientists and advancing biotechnology-driven solutions for sustainable agriculture and food security.

09/03/2026

and the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), in partnership with Kansas State University, will host the CBSUA-SEARCA Joint International Conference 2026 on 18–21 March 2026 in Camarines Sur, Philippines.

CAMARINES SUR, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), in partnership with Kansas State University (KSU), will host the CBSUA-SEARCA Joint International Conference 2026 on...

09/03/2026

As part of her Regional Professorial Chair award, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noranizan Mohd Adzahan from the Universiti Putra Malaysia will deliver a public lecture!

🌱 High Pressure Processing as a Game Changer for Reducing Waste and Environmental Impact
🗓️ 13 March 2026, 2:00 PM (GMT+7:00)
🖥️ Zoom | Meeting ID: 812 880 6607; Meeting Passcode: sustain

08/03/2026

Salute to the women in science and agriculture! 🌸🌸🌸
joins the celebration of the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD). 👩‍🌾👷‍♀️👩‍🎓🤱

IWD has been celebrated on 8 March for well over a century worldwide. It is a focal point in the movement for women's rights.

Today, IWD is powered by the collective efforts of all. Collective action and shared ownership for driving gender parity make International Women's Day impactful.

Join the celebration! Visit: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/.

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Photo credit: Kyaw Zay Yar Lin

06/03/2026

Six students from Nagasaki University visited as part of their Global Social Responsibility Short-Term Study Program, gaining first-hand insights into SEARCA’s work in agricultural education, research, and innovation— from scholarships and youth engagement to smart farming and agri-robotics. ✨

Six students from Nagasaki University visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 26 February 2026 as part of the Global Social Responsibility (GSR) Short-Term Study Program. The visit aimed to provide a deeper their understanding of Philipp...

06/03/2026

📸 IN PHOTOS:
This morning, ten Development Communication and Communication students from Ateneo de Naga University, accompanied by their professor, Mr. Jan Victor Agna, visited to learn about the Center’s communication initiatives and the vital role of communication in agriculture. ✨🌾

During the visit, Ms. Zara Mae Estareja, Senior Associate for Public Relations, briefed the students on SEARCA’s mandate, 12th Five-Year Development Plan, and core programs. She outlined common communication challenges in the agriculture sector, the approaches used to address them, and showcased SEARCA’s strategies for effectively disseminating its initiatives and breakthroughs.

The students also enjoyed a tour of the SEARCA Hub for Agriculture and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation (SHARING) AgriMuseum.

05/03/2026

💡Join the Agri-Innovator Program (AIP) and transform your research into real-world impact!

Many innovative research outputs from universities remain in journals or laboratory prototypes, leaving valuable opportunities untapped for economic growth, job creation, and real-world solutions, especially in food and agriculture.

The 2026 SEARCA Agri-Innovator Program (AIP) aims to bridge this gap by strengthening universities’ capacity to bring innovative technologies from research to market. Through this program, participants will gain deeper insights and practical skills in:
🔬 Understanding the technology commercialization lifecycle
📊 Assessing technical maturity, novelty, and market potential
💼 Learning technology valuation, licensing models, and deal structuring
🤝 Building industry partnerships and negotiating
🌏 Learning best practices from institutions with successful commercialization models

Who should apply?
The program invites Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) or universities to nominate participants, preferably through their Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs). Ideal participants include:
• IP and licensing managers
• Commercialization officers
• R&D staff involved in food, agriculture, and engineering technologies

Visit bit.ly/AIP2026SEARCA for more details.

05/03/2026

🌱 Join us for the 3rd Upland Hydroecology Program (UHP) Legacy Seminar Series!

UHP’s Research Outputs Driving Policy and Product Innovation
📅 11 March 2026 (Wednesday) | 10:00 AM – 12:00 NN
📍 SEARCA Umali Auditorium, UPLB Campus, College, Los Baños, Laguna, and via Facebook Live
🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/3rd-UHP

This seminar will feature distinguished experts Dr. Leonardo M. Florece, Dr. Virginia C. Cuevas, Dr. Reynaldo dela Cruz, Dr. Virginia M. Padilla, and Dr. Percy E. Sajise in a moderated panel discussion. They will reflect on how UHP research outputs have contributed to forest regeneration and biodiversity conservation, and how these foundational studies have also informed biological product development and utilization.

Seats at the venue are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage registered participants to arrive early.

Be part of the third installment of the UHP Legacy Seminar Series, held in celebration of the Golden Anniversary of the Upland Hydroecology Program (UHP).
🌿 See you at !

05/03/2026

Limited access to knowledge on profitability and technology, as well as aging farming population, are some of the biggest challenges facing Southeast Asian farmers and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). In Thailand, these challenges are being addressed through government-led training programs on farm management and digital tools, support for technology adoption across value chains, and initiatives encouraging youth engagement in agriculture. 🇵🇭🇹🇭

Catch her full lecture here: https://www.facebook.com/seameo.searca/videos/1013634708495935/