SEARCA

29/01/2026

Ms. Fe Agra, a farmer from Masapang, Victoria, Laguna, Philippines, shares her insights on the benefits of the Rice Straw Bioenergy Hub (RSBH or Dayami Hub). ✨

Learn more about the RSBH project here: https://www.searca.org/rsbh-project

28/01/2026

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the Upland Hydroecology Program (UHP) invites everyone to the UHP Legacy Seminar, a special set of learning exchanges that reflect upland resource management and governance.

, together with the University of the Philippines Los Baños, UP Open University (UPOU), UPLB College of Human Ecology, UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources, UPLB School of Environmental Science and Management, and the Philippine Watershed Management Coalition 2.0 - PWMC, support the seminar series led by Dr. Percy Sajise, former SEARCA Director and the second dean of UPLB CHE. It will run starting 5 February to 24 April 2026.

Join us as we revisit the past, engage the present, and envision the future of upland ecology: http://bit.ly/UPH50_1stSeminarSeries_SESAM

28/01/2026

Mr. Lloyd Cameron, Economic and Climate Counsellor of the British Embassy in Manila, highlights the impact of the Rice Straw Bioenergy Hub (RSBH or Dayami Hub) and the United Kingdom-Philippines collaboration for smallholder farmers. 🌾

Learn more about RSBH here: https://www.searca.org/rsbh-project

27/01/2026

Participate in the first AgricultuRUN – A Fun Run for a Cause! 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽🌱

This activity is part of the celebration of the 117th Founding Anniversary of the UPLB College of Agriculture and Food Science. Proceeds from the AgricultuRUN will benefit the College of Agriculture Fund for Emergency Loan (CAFEL), a student welfare program dedicated to supporting the urgent financial needs of UPLB CAFS students.

Theme: Traversing Fields between Academe and Industry
Race Date: March 7, 2026
Venue: UPLB Grounds, College, Laguna
Race Categories: 1K • 3K • 5K • 10K

Register here: https://bit.ly/AgriRUN-2026
For more information, you may visit: fb.com/AgricultuRun

26/01/2026

, the country’s official national day, is observed on 26 January. It commemorates the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet and Arthur Phillip's raising of the Union Flag at Sydney Cove, on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour.

Today, the National Australia Day Council hosts events to honor the contributions of Australians, reflect on the nation’s history, promote reconciliation with Indigenous Australians, and celebrate the diversity and achievements of Australian society.
Australia has been an associate member country of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization ( ), 's mother organization, since 1973.
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Photo credit: Alfio Manciagli

24/01/2026

joins the celebration of the 2026 ! 📖✏🎓

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as the International Day of Education to celebrate the importance of education for peace and development. This year, the celebration highlights the significant role of the youth as co-creators of education.

People under 30 make up over half of the world’s population. They drive sustainable development, innovation, and social change, yet they are still vulnerable to poverty, inequality, and limited access to quality education and decent work.

Youth have a crucial role in shaping the future of education: they are its main stakeholders. That’s why it is vital to meaningfully involve students and young people in designing the education they want and need.

By empowering young people to pursue agricultural education, research, and entrepreneurship, SEARCA helps ensure that the next generation is empowered to address pressing challenges in food security, rural development, and climate resilience.

Learn more about the celebration here: https://www.unesco.org/en/days/education
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Photo credits: Froilan Robas, Jayson Berto, Gaea Lei Osilao

23/01/2026

is pleased to announce the shortlist of the 19th SEARCA Photo Contest (2025).

Please note that there will be no People's Choice Award for this year.

22/01/2026

and the University of Asia and the Pacific's Center for Food and Agri Business (UA&P-CFA) will hold the second installment of the Food and Agribusiness Forum on 30 January 2026 at PLDT Hall, UA&P, Pasig City.

The forum, titled "Harnessing Economies of Scale: Consolidation Pathways for Philippine Food and Agribusiness," will gather agribusiness leaders, policymakers, farmers' groups, researchers, and development organizations to discuss how consolidation strategies can integrate value chains, reduce fragmentation, and foster sustainable agribusiness models that empower both enterprises and smallholders in the country.

PASIG CITY, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in partnership with the University of Asia and the Pacific's Center for Food and Agri Business (UA&P-CFA), will hold the Food and Agribusiness Forum on 30 January 2026 at PL...

19/01/2026

📸 IN PHOTOS:

On Friday, 18 January, the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), led by Executive Director Donald James Gawe, visited .

The visit primarily aimed to identify concrete operational gaps where PNVSCA support could add value. In particular, the visiting delegation explored how deploying specialized volunteers could help transform school gardens from basic cultivation areas into sustainable hubs that advance both food security and education.

To anchor discussions in current realities, the SEARCA and PNVSCA teams conducted site visits to the school gardens of San Antonio Elementary School, Bayog Elementary School, and Bayog Senior High School in Los Baños, Laguna.

16/01/2026

📣 Call for Applications: Training-Workshop on Transformational Agricultural Innovation Systems (TrAInS) for the New Future! 🌾

is now accepting applications for the 2026 TrAInS, a regional learning event designed to provide participants with a structured platform to critically examine emerging and persistent challenges confronting agriculture, and to co-create collaborative and forward-looking solutions. Through interactive lectures, guided discussions, and applied exercises, participants will be supported in developing transformative programs and strategies for transformational agricultural innovation systems (AIS).
📅 April 2026
📍 Hybrid (online via Zoom and in-person in a SEAMEO member country)
📌 Application deadline: 16 February 2026
🔗Visit our webpage for more details: https://bit.ly/2026trains

What’s in it for you?
🔹 Gain insights into the pressing challenges and opportunities in agriculture
🔹 Develop skills in futures thinking and scenario building to drive forward-looking solutions
🔹 Design transformative program interventions in strengthening agricultural innovation systems

TrAInS is your platform to connect, collaborate, and drive meaningful change in agricultural innovation systems across Southeast Asia. Let’s redefine agriculture together for a sustainable and innovative tomorrow! Secure your spot now!

16/01/2026

📢 Call for Applications: DAAD- Scholarship

The application deadline has been extended to 30 January 2026, 11:59 p.m. (GMT+8)!

Apply here: https://www.searca.org/daad-scholarship -portals
For more information, please visit: https://www.searca.org/daad-scholarship

15/01/2026

📸 IN PHOTOS:

On 14 January, Ms. Tze Pei Jenny Choo, Project Manager of the Department of Climate and Natural Resources, of GITEC-IGIP GmbH, was welcomed by Dr. Nova Ramos, Head of Education and Collective Learning Department -Training for Development Unit (ECLD-T4DU); Dr. Emil John Cabrera, Head of Emerging Innovation for Growth Department (EIGD); Mr. Rowell Dikitanan, Head of the Project Development and Technical Services; and Ms. Bernice Anne De Torres, Program Coordinator of Research and Thought Leadership Department (RTLD) to explore possible synergies and collaboration opportunities.

Ms. Choo presented an overview of GITEC’s service portfolio, highlighting the Department of Climate and Natural Resources (CNR) Services, focusing on biodiversity conservation and protected areas management, natural resources management, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and sustainable livelihood development by presenting projects across Asia, Latin America, and other regions. She also highlighted potential areas for collaboration, particularly in nature-based solutions, agroforestry, value chains, research, and capacity building.

Dr. Ramos briefly introduced SEARCA’s programs and activities and discussed the 12th Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP) (2025/2026–2029/2030), which is anchored on the Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems through Innovation in Southeast Asia (SUSTAIN Southeast Asia). The discussion particularly touched on how strategies under the 12th FYDP are translated into tangible outcomes, collectively referred to as the 4Ps: Pocket, Plate, Place, and People. In addition, SEARCA’s core programs on education, research, and innovation were discussed as potential areas for collaboration.

Dr. Cabrera noted possible collaborations to scale up the Rice Straw Biogas Hub (RSBH) project, while Ms. De Torres underscored opportunities for partnership through the Consortium for Agricultural Policy Research Initiatives (CAPRI).