SEARCA Photo Contest Champions Carbon-Neutral Farming

Brimming with sustainability and innovation, the winning images of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Photo Contest 2024 envision a future where farming thrives in harmony with nature.

Launched in November 2024 with the theme “The Future of Farming: Pathways to Carbon-Neutral Agriculture,” the 18th edition of SEARCA’s annual competition awarded Jayson Berto of the Philippines the top prize for his striking photograph of a university student tending a hydroponics tower garden—a resource-efficient urban farming system that maximizes space and conserves water.

“Crop growing is cooler with the hydroponics tower garden of the Central Luzon State University students!” says Berto, alluding to the need to make farming more appealing to the youth.

Major Prizes: Capturing sustainability in action

A total of seven awards were given in the SEARCA Photo Contest 2024, comprising three major prizes and four special recognitions. The winners emerged from a rigorous evaluation process led by experts in sustainable agriculture, ecology, photography, and the creative arts. This year’s competition drew an impressive 653 entries from 166 amateur and professional photographers across eight Southeast Asian countries.

The second prize went to Klienne Eco of the Philippines, whose striking image captured a long stretch of solar panels alongside a lush paddy field. Eco highlighted the significance of solar irrigation technology in advancing Philippine agriculture.

“The development of solar irrigation technology is bringing about a bright future for agriculture in the Philippines. By replacing costly diesel pumps, our objective is to alleviate the financial burden on farmers and promote a more sustainable farming ecosystem,” he shares.

Meanwhile, the third prize was awarded to Mark Lienel Padecio of the Philippines for his symmetrical composition of a container gardening system—an innovative urban gardening approach.

“This method empowers residents to grow their own food at home, ensuring access to fresh produce even amid food shortages,” explains Padecio.

He further emphasizes its environmental impact, noting that repurposing used containers such as plastic bottles, boxes, and old pots helps reduce plastic waste.

Special Awards: Bridging tradition and modern farming

The SEARCA Director’s Choice Award was given to Kyaw Zay Yar Lin of Myanmar whose photo showcased duck breeders and fishers using natural and traditional methods to sustain their livelihoods.

Another Myanmar national, Min Min Zaw, earned the Philippine Department of Education Secretary’s Special Choice Award for his mesmerizing night fishing scene.

“The seemingly bejeweled spectacle highlights the traditional fishing practice and the deep connection between fishermen, the lake, and the cosmos,” he muses.

The People’s Choice Award went to Aung Chan Thar of Myanmar whose photo features a vibrant flower farm in Vietnam.

“The intricate network of waterways and floating gardens provides a model for how we can cultivate crops while minimizing our impact on the environment,” he shares.

Lastly, Rahmad Himawan of Indonesia was recognized as the Best Youth Photographer for his breathtaking aerial shot of a vast green rice field. Describing the scene, he captions, “The atmosphere and natural beauty of the countryside in the morning, with mountains and rice fields in North Bengkulu Regency, Indonesia.”

“These winning entries collectively celebrate sustainable farming practices, technological innovations, and the rich agricultural heritage of Southeast Asia, inspiring a greener and more resilient future for farming,” says SEARCA Center Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio.

He adds that the yearly SEARCA Photo Contest is launched with a timely theme, which aims to raise greater awareness on the issues and concerns surrounding agriculture and development in the Southeast Asian region.

Dr. Gregorio explains that the photo contest “curates images from various nations of the 11 countries of the region, showcasing the current situations and trends from food production to food consumption, alongside the living conditions of those involved in the food chain.”

The 19th edition of the SEARCA Photo Contest will be launched in September 2025.