Contents
Background
The role of academia in contributing to improvements in agriculture, sustainability, and economic growth cannot be overstated. Within and beyond research and development, the paradigm shift on research for development has called for various innovation models in ensuring that ideation and execution are geared towards addressing the pain points of the industry with the hope of running a sustainable model, business or otherwise.
The AIP challenges research ideation and execution methodologies. SEARCA recognizes that universities play a significant role in research, instruction, and extension and are a birthplace of many valuable ideas. With AIP, we want to ensure maximum impact and provide a path towards sustainability for possible research findings and technological discoveries that have the potential to be utilized by a larger market or user base in the agriculture industry.
The AIP is a non-formal, short-term training program that delves into agricultural innovation space using human-centric approach with actual scenarios and processes that work not just in theory, but in actual practice as well. Participants are segmented into the ideation stage or Minimum Viable Product (MVP) stage.
Program Objectives
At the end of the program, participants should be able to:
- Understand the Design-thinking process as a human-centric approach to problem-solving and creating innovative solutions in agriculture;
- Apply different strategies relative to the stage of the participant (ideation vs MVP) in ideation and execution; and
- Understand drivers of innovation, productivity, profitability and sustainability to ensure continuity of efforts after the AIP.
Intended Participants
Participants must be citizens of SEAMEO member countries, namely, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam, who are:
- Recent BA/BSc graduates and current students or recent graduates of MA/MS/PhD from public and private HEIs with thesis/project topics related to agricultural innovation.
- Researchers or extension workers of public or private HEIs with agri-innovation projects.
- Staff of non-government or private organizations working on agri-innovation.
Eligibility
As all training sessions will be conducted in English, participants must have good level of fluency in English (speak, read, and write in English proficiently). They must have thesis topics or projects (ideas or currently being implemented) centered around innovation regardless of their position in the agricultural value chain. Applicants can be categorized into the following with the minimum documentary requirement submitted:
| Ideation Phase | A thesis outline; Approved thesis topics submitted; Concept note or an approved project proposal |
| Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Phase | Thesis manuscript completed; Product prototype/minimum viable product available such as a sample product or service or a beta version of a website or an app |
The program will accept a maximum of 25 participants. The applicants must have a stable internet connectivity and a device (laptop, tablet) that can allow collaborative work using various digital tools (Canva, Miro Board, Google Drive) and can connect via various meeting platforms (MS Teams, Zoom, Google Meet).
Module Focus
Ideation: Design Thinking, Business Model Canvas, Forming the Founding Team
MVP: Legal and Regulatory Compliances, How to Build your MVP, Income Forecasting/Projection, Bootstrapping vs. Infusing Capital
Program Format and Dates
The Program will use a hybrid format of face-to-face followed by one-on-one online coaching sessions:
- 27–31 January 2025: Face-to-face sessions at SEARCA, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
- 3–14 February 2025: Window for one-on-one online coaching sessions
- 18 February 2025: Final presentation and closing ceremony (online)
Program Fees
| USD 1,315 – regular rate for citizens of non-SEAMEO member countries in the private sector |
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| USD 820 – subsidized rate for government employees of any SEAMEO member country | |
| USD 600 – subsidized rate for current students in public HEIs |
How to Apply
- Register to the SEARCA Training Application portal.
- Fill out the online application form for the AIP.
- Attach the required documents below:
- Valid ID
- Curriculum Vitae (maximum of 3 pages)
- Nomination Form
- Statement of Commitment Form
- Agri-Innovation Project
Applicants who wish to apply for a grant must apply by 16 December 2024. Those who intend to apply as a fee-paying participant (either subsidized or full program fee) must apply by 13 January 2025.
Training Grants
SEARCA will be offering limited and competitive grants for a subsidized program fee for nationals of SEAMEO Member Countries (regular employees of government or public agencies). Please indicate in your application if you wish to apply for a SEARCA grant. If your grant application is unsuccessful, you are encouraged to seek sponsorship from your organization or other funding institutions.
Contact Us
Interested in partnering or participating in this training? Please contact Dr. Nova Ramos, Head, Education and Collective Learning Department-Training for Development Unit (ECLD-T4DU):