SEARCA

02/10/2025

An important window of opportunity for a healthy and productive adult life lies with basic education according to a study presented at the Agriculture and Development Seminar Series (ADSS) held on 24 September 2025.

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—An important window of opportunity for a healthy and productive adult life lies with basic education according to a study presented at the SEARCA Agriculture and Development Seminar Series (ADSS) held on 24 September 2025. Nutritionist-dietician Ma. Cristina Sison, who co-a...

02/10/2025

Only 2 days to go until the SAFE Impact Showcase!

On 3 October, 2:00–4:30 PM SGT (GMT+8), you’ll get to meet and learn from changemakers leading regenerative and climate-smart solutions across Southeast Asia, including our three panelists:

🌾 Imelda Bacudo, a climate finance & partnership expert at FAO. She brings over 25 years of experience and has helped shape global and ASEAN policy to make agriculture and climate finance more inclusive and resilient.
📈 Chris Teoh, a seasoned investor with over 20 years in private equity, brings expertise from the SDG Venture Scaler and M&G Investments in aligning capital with impact and scaling enterprises that drive fair food systems across the region.
🤝 Afifa Urfani, the strategic partnership manager of Pandawa Agri Indonesia who has more than 10 years of experience in agri-fintech, digital innovation, and social enterprise. In her role, she drives sustainable growth through partnerships and grassroots innovation.

Don’t miss this chance to hear their insights on scaling solutions that nourish both people and the planet!
Sign up for the event today: https://bit.ly/SAFEImpactShowcase

The SAFE Acceleration Program is designed and implemented by Villgro Philippines in collaboration with .

02/10/2025

🌾 Save the Date!

Be part of the Rice Straw Bioenergy Hub (RSBH) Grand Launch and discover how rice straw can be transformed into clean, renewable energy—powering post-harvest operations while cutting reliance on fossil fuels.

📆 7 October 2025
⏰ 10:00 AM (GMT+8)
💻 Live on Straw Innovations’ page
👉 Stay updated here: https://www.facebook.com/share/18k6m51ZHZ/

The RSBH is a joint initiative of , Straw Innovations, Aston University, and KoolMill System, funded by Innovate UK, dedicated to turning rice straw into sustainable economic opportunities.

5 Days to Go: Countdown to Clean Energy ⚡

Just 5 days until the launch of the Philippines’ first Rice Straw Bioenergy Hub! 🌾✨

Witness how rice straw can be turned into renewable energy to power post-harvest processes and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

30/09/2025

SEAMEO Regional Centre for Special Educational Needs (SEAMEO SEN), in collaboration with Canva and IPG Kampus Ilmu Khas, Malaysia, Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Ilmu Khas – Rasmi, presents a webinar in conjunction with the Karnival Kecemerlangan Inklusif titled "Reimagining Inclusive Teaching and Learning for Future Ready Learners."

This webinar will share insights on transforming classrooms into spaces of engagement and innovation through the empowerment of teachers and students to design and collaborate with ease, embedding the 21st-century skills into everyday practice. The webinar will also highlight Canva's Magic AI features to help simplify lesson preparation, unlock new creative possibilities, and design inclusive student-centered experiences.

We will also be sharing submission guides and tips for the SEAMEO SEN - Canva Creativity in Education Award 2025. SEA teachers have a chance to win up to USD 1,500 worth of prizes. More info at https://bit.ly/creativityaward2025

Event Details:
📆 2 October 2025 (Thursday)
⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (GMT+8:00, Malaysia Time)
📍SEAMEO SEN Facebook & YouTube Live Streaming
Register for free at https://sies.seameosen.edu.my/ (E-Certificate will be provided for registered viewers)
Visit SEAMEO SEN FB page for inquiries: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KGrsiknb9/

30/09/2025

📸 IN PHOTOS:

At last week’s , Nutritionist-Dietitian Ma. Cristina Sison shared how youth engagement can help transform the Philippine food system and combat malnutrition.
Drawing from their paper published in the 20th anniversary issue of the Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD), she emphasized the need for:

✅ Practical immersion and training programs
✅ Integrating agriculture and nutrition into the school curriculum
✅ Mobilizing local governments, especially the Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council)
✅ Capacitating out-of-school youth
✅ Strengthening nutrition messages in schools, social media, and traditional media

📺 Missed the seminar? Watch the full recording here: https://www.facebook.com/seameo.searca/videos/1296418011799292/

30/09/2025

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT!

Join us for the SAFE Impact Showcase, where enterprises will share how they’re creating climate-resilient food systems across Southeast Asia.

📆 3 October 2025
⏰ 2:00 PM (GMT +8:00)
💻 Live via Zoom
Secure your slot today: https://luma.com/bv7ndvoc

The SAFE Acceleration Program is designed and implemented by Villgro Philippines in collaboration with .

Save the date!
Join us for the SAFE Impact Showcase, where enterprises will share how they’re creating climate-resilient food systems across Southeast Asia.

📆 3 October 2025
⏰ 2:00 PM (GMT +8:00)
💻 Live via Zoom
Secure your slot today: https://luma.com/bv7ndvoc

The SAFE Acceleration Program is designed and implemented by Villgro Philippines in collaboration with .

29/09/2025

📸 IN PHOTOS:

On 18 September, 58 agri-biotech stakeholders from academic institutions, government regulatory agencies, and the private sector gathered for the forum “Bridging Biotechnology Innovation and Regulations: Orientation on Microbial-based Product Development and Commercialization in the Academic Setting.”

UPLB BIOTECH and SEARCA co-organized the event, which aimed to foster mutual understanding between researchers and government regulatory agencies on the standards, processes, and constraints in the registration and approval of microbial-based products and technologies for agricultural and food use.

Three UPLB experts shared their experiences in developing agriculture and food technologies, and the intellectual protection and commercialization pathways in the academic setting. A panel comprising government regulatory agencies discussed bottlenecks and ways forward to streamline the registration and approval processes for microbial-based products and technologies developed by academic research institutions.

28/09/2025

An innovative alert system powered by satellites, sensors, and drones may soon help cacao farmers safeguard their crops and ensure a steady supply of premium beans.

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—An innovative alert system powered by satellites, sensors, and drones may soon help cacao farmers safeguard their crops and ensure a steady supply of premium beans. A groundwork project in Davao City, Philippines validated the use of satellite data, soil sensors, and drone ...

26/09/2025

📸 IN PHOTOS:

championed solutions at the AGRIFUTURE Conference 2025, organized by the German Agricultural Society (DLG Asia Pacific) in Bangkok, Thailand, on 23-24 September. At the German Embassy pre-event networking, SEARCA reinforced its collaboration with the agricultural community to support innovations across Southeast Asia. SEARCA was represented by Ms. Lichelle Carlos, Program Specialist from the Emerging Innovation for Growth Department (EIGD).

In the Residue-to-Value Breakout Session, moderated by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), SEARCA proposed a national strategy for rice straw management, dubbed the Dayami Hub concept—an outcome of the Rice Straw Biogas Hub project funded by Innovate UK and implemented with lead partner Straw Innovations. The concept drives the creation of hub networks to upscale rice straw use, stop burning, reduce emissions, and advance circular economy practices. Straw Innovations founder Mr. Craig Jamieson also presented the StrawTraktor® with its unique ability to collect residues from wet rice fields, ensuring productive use instead of burning.

Conference delegates from international organizations, private sector innovators, researchers, and policymakers further assessed sustainable agricultural solutions during field visits to the Kubota Farm, showcasing smart agriculture technologies, and the Hydro-Informatics Institute (HII), Thailand’s government data center for effective water management in farming communities.

26/09/2025

🌾 POWER UP YOUR AGRI-INNOVATION WITH GRAINS! 🚀

Calling all agri-innovators in Southeast Asia with working prototypes and bold solutions!

The Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions (GRAINS) is now accepting applications to help scale high-impact agricultural innovations and startup ventures that can transform farming systems and rural livelihoods.

✅ Already have a prototype? Now’s the time to power it up and deliver regional impact.

📌 Check your eligibility and learn how to apply:
🔗 https://www.searca.org/grains
🗓 Application Deadline: 22 October 2025

📚 Explore successful GRAINS projects and how they made a difference:
🔗 https://www.searca.org/grains

📝 Ready to get started? Create your account and apply now:
🔗 https://grains.searcaapps.org/

25/09/2025

featured Dr. Oskar Lecuyer, an environmental economist at the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), in its latest Agriculture and Development Seminar Series (ADSS) event, held both online and on-site on 12 September 2025.

Lecuyer presented the Blue Environmental Sustainability Gap (Blue ESGAP) framework, a pioneering tool for assessing nature-related risks and guiding sustainable management of marine and coastal resources.

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) featured Dr. Oskar Lecuyer, an environmental economist at the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), in its latest Agriculture and Development Seminar Series (ADSS) held via Zoom...

24/09/2025

📷 IN PHOTOS:

As the Secretariat of the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC), plays a key role in supporting the conduct of the 7th UC Faculty Forum (UCFF), co-hosted with Central Mindanao University (CMU) on 24–25 September 2025 at Mallberry Suites Business Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City and at CMU in Bukidnon, Philippines.

With the theme “Building a Sustainable Future: Agriculture in a Green Economy for Global Food Security”, the forum brings together faculty, researchers, and policymakers from across Southeast Asia to exchange knowledge, share insights, and promote collaborations.

SEARCA’s top leadership addressed the gathering, with Dr. Mercedita A. Sombilla, Center Director, delivering the opening message, and Dr. Nur Azura binti Adam, Deputy Director for Programs, set to close the forum. The program also featured a keynote address by Dr. Terence Al L. Abaquita, Researcher and Balik Scientist from the University of Mindanao, and a cultural performance by the CMU Bidlisiw Dance Troupe.

The two-day forum showcases 33 paper presentations across five subthemes: Food Security and Nutrition, Sustainable Livestock Production, Green Cities and Urban Planning, Circular Economy and Sustainable Consumption, and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. Delegates include representatives from UC member universities in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, and Japan, along with several state universities and colleges in the Philippines.