Emerging Agricultural Innovations
for the Next Generation
The world continues to cope with numerous unprecedented global threats, such as the persisting COVID pandemic, the economic impact of armed conflicts, and the escalating effects of climate change. It is no wonder that food security and therefore agricultural production and sustainability are suddenly at the forefront from the international arena down to the community/household level. Given the well-known proverb "necessity is the mother of invention," there has never been a better time to be involved and raise awareness and appreciation of emerging technologies and innovations that can transform agricultural production and ensure our food security for the next generation.
In its 16th year this 2022, SEARCA's Annual Photo Contest focused on promoting Emerging Agricultural Innovations for the Next Generation.
First Prize
LEA S. CAGUIAT
The Philippines
Second Prize
DENNIS IVAN CHAVEZ BALIGUAT
The Philippines
Caption by photographer: Fresco-Greenovation is a social enterprise founded during the pandemic by young farmers who have Computer Engineering knowledge and Agricultural Science Degrees. The photo shows a glimpse of their current innovative project focusing on precision farming where Hydroponics, Internet of Things, automation, computer vision, and machine learning technologies are integrated.
Their endeavor hopes to become one of the Philippines' pioneers in the AgriTech space that aims to empower Filipino farmers with new technology and improve their livelihood, encourage the youth to pursue farming and ensure food security in the future, promote digital agriculture and data-driven farming solutions, and raise more awareness and spark action to combat climate change.
Third Prize
FREDELON BUNNAO SISON
The Philippines
Special Awards
SEARCA Director's Choice
JAIME SUMUGAT SINGLADOR
The Philippines
Philippine Department of Education Secretary's Choice
JOMAR MARIÑAS
The Philippines
People's Choice and Best Youth Photographer
ROBERT MARREL DELA VEGA
The Philippines
Best Agricultural Innovation / Technology
PHAM QUOC HUNG
Vietnam
Finalists
Listed in no particular order
DANG HONG LONG
Vietnam
GIRI WIJAYANTO
Indonesia
HANSA TANGMANPOOWADOL
Thailand
SAIYADETH
Lao PDR
ARIE BASUKI
Indonesia
LE VAN VINH
Vietnam
CHRISTOPHER ANDRES
The Philippines
NGUYEN LINH VINH QUOC
Vietnam
BUDI PRAKASA KARYADI
Indonesia
PHAM QUOC HUNG
Vietnam
KHANH PHAN
Vietnam
Caption by photographer: A model of growing clean agricultural products at Uncle Ho's garden in Dong Thap, Vietnam to cope with climate change. The garden is beautifully planned with raised embankments to prevent sea water encroachment.
In addition, the garden is installed with a smart irrigation system that can water nearly 10 hectares in 20 minutes, saving a lot of time and labor for farmers. In addition, each mango tree is attached with a barcode and a planting area code so that when the mango is exported, the buyer can base on the barcode stamp on the mango to find the origin.
This garden in the program of the project “Building Forward Better: A Resilient Women and Youth Centered and Digitally Enhanced Value Chain Development in Vietnam” is jointly developed by UNIDO in collaboration with IFAD funded by MPTF-Covid 19. And GQSP country project “Increasing quality and standards compliance capacity of Mango value chain in Mekong River Delta” in Vietnam. This is a meaningful project that brings light to fruit farmers in Vietnam and hopes to replicate this model in the future. In order for the fruits to be qualified for export to the US, Japan, and Korea market.
ARTURO B. DE VERA JR.
The Philippines
Judges
Final Round Judges
Alphabetical order (by full name)
-
Dr. Ethel Agnes Valenzuela
Director
Southeast Asian Ministers of Education
Organization (SEAMEO) Secretariat
Thailand -
Dr. Kritsachai Somsaman
Director
SEAMEO Regional Centre for STEM
Education (SEAMEO STEM-ED)
Thailand -
Dr. Le Thi My Ha
Director
SEAMEO Regional Centre for Lifelong
Learning (SEAMEO CELLL)
Vietnam -
Dr. Leonor Briones
Director
SEAMEO Regional Center for Educational Innovation
and Technology (SEAMEO INNOTECH)
The Philippines -
Dr. Shah Jahan bin Assanarkutty
Director
SEAMEO Regional Centre for Education in Science
and Mathematics (SEAMEO RECSAM)
Malaysia -
Dr. Win Myat Aung
Director
SEAMEO Regional Centre for History
and Tradition (SEAMEO CHAT)
Myanmar -
Dr. Zainun Misbah
Deputy Director for Administration
SEAMEO Regional Center for Food
and Nutrition (SEAMEO RECFON)
Indonesia
Special Award Judges
-
SEARCA Director's Choice:
Dr. Glenn Gregorio
Director
Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study
and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)
The Philippines -
Philippine Department of Education
Secretary's Choice:Hon. Sara Zimmerman Duterte-Carpio
Secretary
Department of Education (DepEd)
The Philippines
Best Agricultural Innovation / Technology:
-
Asst. Prof. Glenn Baticados
Program Head
Emerging Innovation for Growth
Department (EIGD), SEARCA
The Philippines -
Ms. Lichelle Dara Carlos
Program Specialist
Emerging Innovation for Growth
Department (EIGD), SEARCA
The Philippines -
Ms. Imelda Batangantang
Program Specialist
Emerging Innovation for Growth
Department (EIGD), SEARCA
The Philippines -
Mr. Christopher Cabardo
Program Specialist
Emerging Innovation for Growth
Department (EIGD), SEARCA
The Philippines -
Ms. Ma. Christina Corales
Program Specialist
Emerging Innovation for Growth
Department (EIGD), SEARCA
The Philippines
Best Youth Photographer:
-
Mr. John Kenneth Abella
Representative
SEARCA Youth Ambassadors Platform (SAYAP)
The Philippines -
Mr. Nathan Felix
Representative
SEARCA Youth Ambassadors Platform (SAYAP)
The Philippines -
Ms. Karen Javier
Representative
SEARCA Youth Ambassadors Platform (SAYAP)
The Philippines
Theme
The 16th SEARCA Photo Contest (2022) with the theme "Emerging Agricultural Innovations for the Next Generation" sought images from across Southeast Asia that showcase technologies and innovations that are modernizing and transforming agricultural and rural development toward increased food supply and security. Photo submissions ideally showcase farmers and farming families, researchers, inventors, and even students and the youth using technologies and innovations in the field as part of agricultural production or experimentation across the broad spectrum of crop cultivation, livestock/animal husbandry, or fisheries.
Sub-themes of interest include:
- Agricultural innovations or technologies, including products and services, that bring positive impact or change to farmers and farming communities.
- Agricultural inventions or new, innovative ways of doing agriculture that increase productivity, yield or income for farmers and farming families in crop cultivation, livestock or fisheries settings.
- Climate-smart or environmentally-friendly innovations and technologies that make agriculture more sustainable and resilient against typhoons, floods, pests and diseases.
- Agricultural innovations or technology developed by local communities or the youth using indigenous materials or tribal knowledge.
- Academe-Industry-Government partnerships resulting in breakthrough agricultural technologies and innovations or sustainable knowledge and technology transfer to farmers and farming communities.
Photo credits: Faiz Rahim, Sai Kham Hein, Mark Anthony L. Parducho, Mauricio E. Victa, and Tien Ho-anh