PASIG CITY, Philippines – The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) met with representatives from the ASEAN Food Security Alliance (AFSA) and Go Negosyo on 11 April 2025 to discuss a potential collaboration to strengthen food security efforts in Southeast Asia through private-sector-led initiatives.
Led by Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, Center Director, the SEARCA delegation included Dr. Rico Ancog, Special Assistant to the Director; Ms. Sharon Malaiba, Unit Head for Partnerships; and Ms. Loise Ann Carandang, Senior Associate for Communications.
Dr. William Dar, AFSA Senior Adviser, and Mr. Julio Matti, Go Negosyo Programs Development Officer, briefed SEARCA on the Kapatid Angat Lahat Agri Program (KALAP), an initiative of Go Negosyo founder, Mr. Jose Ma. "Joey" Concepcion, who also sits on the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (BAC). AFSA is a legacy project under the ASEAN BAC Philippines.
The discussion centered on co-developing a private-sector-driven food security framework that aims to complement ongoing government efforts in agribusiness and trade relevant for the countries comprising the Southeast Asian region. Since its launch in 2016, KALAP has been bridging the gap between big industry players and smallholder farmers in the Philippines through strategic partnerships. The proposed collaboration aligns with SEARCA's thrust to undertake programs that address agricultural challenges in the region and foster academe-industry-government (AIG) partnerships to create sustainable and inclusive interventions for farmers and farmer groups.
Dr. Sombilla highlighted that SEARCA's extensive research on ASEAN food security standards and protocols could provide valuable insights for shaping the framework. She also emphasized the importance of close collaboration between SEARCA and AFSA in finalizing the concept note that will define the framework and strategies.
In this joint endeavor with AFSA, SEARCA leverages its regional network of food security experts and critical research findings from past and ongoing projects to strengthen its role in advancing agricultural transformation and innovation.
The meeting concluded with commitments from both parties, followed by a meeting among SEARCA's core programs on 14 April 2025 to strategize the Center's approach to developing the framework, which aims to foster industry partnerships and regional integration to bolster food security in Southeast Asia.