SEARCA CAPRI boosts Gen Z-ready agri policy research

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines— The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)’s Consortium for Agricultural Policy Research Initiatives (CAPRI) held its onboarding workshop on April 27–28, 2026. The event convened representatives from national research institutions, development partners, and regional organizations from the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and other Southeast Asian countries, reaffirming their collective commitment to advancing agricultural policy research and collaboration.

SEARCA Center Director Dr. Mercedita Sombilla emphasized the importance of evidence-based policymaking to address systemic challenges, including labor outmigration, an aging farming population, climate risks, and underinvestment in technology and infrastructure. She highlighted CAPRI as a regional platform for generating evidence, aligning research priorities, and translating research into policy and practice.

Datuk Dr. Habibah Abdul Rahim, Director of the SEAMEO Secretariat, underscored Southeast Asia’s agricultural potential amid growing pressures on food systems, stressing the need for coordinated regional action and evidence-informed policymaking.

Representing the Philippine Agriculture Secretary and the ASEAN Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) Chair Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Ms. Maria Ella Cecilia Obligado emphasized CAPRI’s role in strengthening research-to-policy linkages and ensuring that decisions reflect the realities of farmers, fishers, and rural communities.

Workshop discussions affirmed CAPRI’s framework and established thematic working groups under the Pocket, Plate, Place, and People framework. Participants situated CAPRI within ASEAN’s agricultural transformation priorities, including scaling innovation, harmonizing standards, and strengthening partnerships to address gaps in financing, technology, and policy implementation.

Dr. Pedcris Orencio, speaking on behalf of the ASEAN Secretariat, presented the strategic shift toward the 2045 Vision for the Food, Agriculture, and Forestry (FAF) sector, aiming to evolve from sustainability to regenerative agriculture. This vision emphasizes biodiversity, decarbonization, trade connectivity, and digital innovation to build a competitive and secure FAF sector.

SEARCA introduced its 12th Five-Year Development Plan: SUSTAIN Southeast Asia, focusing on improving farmers’ incomes, strengthening food and nutrition security, enhancing climate resilience, and empowering agricultural stakeholders. Deputy Director Dr. Rico Ancog presented SEARCA’s Policy Research Agenda, stressing the urgency of systemic, coordinated action to deliver sustainable futures for Southeast Asia.

CAPRI’s operational structure was outlined, including joint research initiatives, foresight work, regional data systems, and policy translation mechanisms. SEARCA announced the upcoming launch of the Southeast Asian Agricultural Statistics Database (SAASD) in November 2026 to harmonize agricultural data and strengthen evidence-based decision-making.

Country-level presentations from the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and other Southeast Asian nations highlighted national priorities, including food security, climate-resilient practices, digital innovation, sustainable resource management, and inclusive value chains. Collaborative ambitions included improving trade connectivity, strengthening governance, and engaging youth in modernizing the agricultural workforce.

The workshop also showcased ongoing initiatives, including the NePAA-led project on agricultural transformation and market integration in Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and other selected South Asian countries under the IFAD-funded ATMI II project, co-implemented by IFPRI and SEARCA. Priority actions identified included nutrition-sensitive agriculture, food resilience systems, digital marketing for farmers, and food zone development, alongside strengthened partnerships with international organizations such as IFAD, IFPRI, BIMSTEC, CIRAD, GIZ, IRRI, ACIAR, ABC, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, MIER, NAST, IIDS, Vertex Group, WHO, FAO, and UNICEF.

In his closing message, Dr. Ancog highlighted the progress made and the importance of continued collaboration: “CAPRI is not simply a consortium—it is a collective commitment to strengthen agricultural policy research across Southeast Asia, ensuring that evidence informs decisions and drives transformation.”

The workshop concluded with participating countries confirming initial commitments and outlining next steps, including refining research priorities, strengthening partnerships, and preparing for CAPRI’s official launch in November 2026 during SEARCA’s 60th anniversary celebration.