First Prize
JAYSON BERTO
The Philippines
Caption by photographer: Crop growing is cooler with the hydroponics tower garden of the Central Luzon State University students! The method is soil-less, making water use more efficient. It also requires less space compared with conventional farming, as leafy vegetables are planted in vertical pots.
Second Prize
KLIENNE ECO
The Philippines
Caption by photographer: 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.
Third Prize
MARK LINEL PADECIO
The Philippines
Caption by photographer: In the city of Mandaue, the community has embraced containerized gardening as an innovative and resilient solution to address today's food security challenges, particularly in urban areas. This approach empowers residents to grow their own food at home, ensuring access to fresh produce even amid food shortages. Beyond its role in promoting food security, containerized gardening also serves as an environmentally conscious practice. By repurposing used containers, such as plastic bottles, boxes, or old pots, it prevents these items from becoming waste, thereby reducing plastic pollution in the environment. Read more.
This practice not only provides individuals with the tools to be more self-sufficient but also fosters a sense of community engagement, as neighbors and local groups often share gardening tips, seeds, and resources. The combination of sustainability and self-sufficiency allows Mandaue residents to contribute directly to both their personal well-being and the health of the planet. As a result, this initiative has proven to be a win-win for the local community and the environment, making it an exemplary model for other urban areas facing similar food security and environmental concerns. Less.
SEARCA Director's Choice
KYAW ZAY YAR LIN
Myanmar
Caption by photographer: The duck breeders are also into fishing, using natural methods for their livelihood.
Philippine Department of Education Secretary's Choice
MIN MIN ZAW
Myanmar
Caption by photographer: Under a spectacular, star-filled night sky, two Inle fishermen work in their small wooden boat. Wearing conical hats and traditional clothing, they use small lights to illuminate their fishing nets. The nets and their reflections are clearly visible in the calm water. The Milky Way stretches across the sky, creating a striking contrast with the dark water and the illuminated figures. Their peaceful labor highlights the traditional fishing practices and the connection between the fishermen, the lake, and the cosmos.
People's Choice
AUNG CHAN THAR
Myanmar
Caption by photographer: A vision of a sustainable future, this image showcases a farming system that works in harmony with nature. The intricate network of waterways and floating gardens provides a model for how we can cultivate food (and flowering plants) while minimizing our impact on the environment.
Best Youth Photographer
RAHMAD HIMAWAN
Indonesia
Caption by photographer: Capturing the atmosphere and natural beauty of the countryside in the morning, with mountains and rice fields in North Bengkulu Regency, Indonesia, during the rice season.
Huy Dang Pham
Caption by photographer: H'Mong ethnic people harvest wet rice.
Dedi Suwidiantoro
Caption by photographer: Farmers from the Salam Tani group care for Miyazaki mango plants cultivated with ultraviolet light in Sliyeg, Indramayu, West Java, Monday (10/28/2024). The use of Internet of Things (IoT)-based ultraviolet lights is to accelerate the flowering process so that it can increase mango production.
Myat Zaw Hein
Caption by photographer: This image captures a fisherman diligently tending to his nets, a scene central to his livelihood. The large nets, stretched across the water, represent his means of catching fish—a crucial source of income and sustenance for him and his family. Read more. The effort he puts in, visible in his silhouette as he works at sunrise or sunset, highlights the labor involved in this profession. The tranquil beauty of the setting—the calm water, the colorful sky—underscores the connection between the fisherman's work and the natural environment. Improving the efficiency and sustainability of these fishing practices, perhaps through better net technology or sustainable fishing regulations, directly impacts this fisherman's ability to provide for himself and his community, ultimately improving his livelihood. Less.
Carlo Dacumos
Caption by photographer: As the sun rises, this solar panel stands ready to harness clean energy, powering irrigation without leaving a carbon footprint. This simple yet powerful solution offers a glimpse into the future of farming—sustainable, efficient, and kind to the environment. With every ray of sunlight, it paves the way for carbon-neutral agriculture, proving that innovation and nature can work hand in hand to secure a greener tomorrow. A true step forward for the future of farming!
Mark Nylle Baun
Caption by photographer: For a Smarter & Greener Future
In the heart of a schoolyard, where lessons extend beyond books, young hands carefully tend to a towering garden of possibility. This vertical farm is more than a source of fresh produce—it is a solution to climate-conscious agriculture. By maximizing space, reducing the need for deforestation, conserving water, and minimizing transportation emissions, vertical farming lowers agriculture’s carbon footprint. Here, students are not just growing plants; they are nurturing a future where food production is smarter, greener, and in harmony with the planet.
Marlo Demo-os
Caption by photographer: "Surambao – A Sustainable Fishing Practice in Brgy. Cagay: Harnessing Tradition and Nature"
In the serene waters of Brgy. Cagay, Roxas City, Capiz, on Panay Island, stands the surambao, a towering testament to sustainable fishing practices deeply rooted in indigenous knowledge. Crafted from locally sourced wood and bamboo, this ingenious stationary fishing gear attracts fish with its light at night, luring them into a submerged net that is carefully hauled every 30 minutes. Read more.
Part of the Palina Greenbelt Ecopark Tour in the Province of Capiz, this fishing village showcases its surambao as both a livelihood tool and an educational highlight for visiting tourists. Here, the community preserves its traditions while promoting eco-friendly practices, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the harmony of nature and culture. Less.
Emman Foronda
Caption by photographer: By growing food in urban spaces, such as through community plots or home gardens, we can directly reduce the carbon footprint associated with food delivery. Traditionally, much of the food in urban areas is transported from distant farms or even other provinces, contributing to significant greenhouse gas emissions due to transportation and packaging. However, by cultivating fresh produce locally, the need for long-distance food transport is minimized, leading to fewer emissions and less environmental impact.
Myat Zaw Hein
Caption by photographer: The traditional Inle fishing technique, practiced by Myanmar's Intha people, involves balancing on small bamboo rafts and using conical nets to catch fish. This method is vital for local communities, preserving cultural heritage and providing a sustainable livelihood through low-cost, eco-friendly practices. It also boosts tourism, offering economic benefits. Environmentally, the technique is sustainable as it avoids overfishing, minimizes habitat disruption, and protects biodiversity by allowing smaller fish to escape. Its reliance on manual labor and natural materials reduces pollution, which is crucial for Inle Lake's health amid challenges like agricultural runoff. This traditional practice exemplifies harmony between human activity and nature, offering a model for sustainable fishing and ecological preservation. Protecting this method supports both local communities and global environmental goals.
KoTooToo
Caption by photographer: In the early morning light, the sounds of harvesting rice boom across the fields. Farmers defy the sun and harvest the grain. The harvested grain is separated from the seeds and loaded onto the bullock cart. Some work in traditional crafts in countries that are not industrialized.
Aung Chan Thar
Caption by photographer: This aerial view captures a unique and innovative approach to farming, where vibrant flower fields thrive on a network of waterways. This sustainable practice minimizes land use, reduces reliance on traditional fertilizers, and offers a glimpse into the future of carbon-neutral agriculture.
Theme
The 18th SEARCA Photo Contest (2024), with "The Future of Farming: Pathways to Carbon Neutral Agriculture" as this year's theme, sought images from Southeast Asia showcasing agricultural technologies and practices that addressed issues and challenges in agriculture.
Photo submissions generally included the following:
Agricultural technologies that have a positive impact to farmers and farming communities while conserving natural resources.
Technologies or practices that increase yield or income for farmers and farming families in crop cultivation, livestock or fishery while reducing wastes.
Agricultural practices or technologies developed by local communities or the youth using indigenous materials or tribal knowledge.
Specifically, this also included:
Regenerative ways of farming production that promote technologies such as permaculture, agroforestry, organic farming, and peri-urban farming, among other practices.
New agribusiness models that introduce platforms for sharing assets (machines, storage, and primary processing; clusters to increase information flow across the value chain (certifications, direct marketing, and e-commerce- based distribution models).
Technologies that discourage waste or farm losses such as postharvest technologies.
Technologies and practices that make use of waste and by-products such as using them as feeds, compost, or have further use in nonfood value chains (bioplastics, etc.).
Biomass energy solutions such as anaerobic biodigesters to produce biogas and compost.
Use of renewable energy (solar, hydropower, wind) that can be used in agroindustry.
Biotechnologies in food production and preservation (e. g. bio-based polymers, fibers, construction materials, leather processing, etc.).
Food systems that promote local value chain, urban farming, and vertical farming practices so less use of fuel energy in the transport of produce. Hence, reducing CO2 emission.