SEARICE

08/10/2026

For Diego Delfin, SEARICE farmer-breeder, rice breeding is more than developing varieties. It is part of the continuing work to recognize, strengthen, and protect farmer seed systems towards seed sovereignty.

We carry this advocacy forward—for farmers’ rights to seed, for farmer seed systems, and for seed sovereignty.

Watch Diego’s story here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ctpvoAoGJ/

03/10/2026

Community Seed Registry in Food Sovereignty Dialogue 🌾

During the Mekong ASEAN Environmental Week in Bangkok, SEARICE Policy and Advocacy Officer Tin Maguddayao builds conversations on Southeast Asian seed laws and policies.

She shared why the inventory of locally bred varieties is tied to food sovereignty. Community-led initiatives like CSRs emphasize the importance of recognizing, documenting, and protecting farmers’ knowledge and locally adapted seeds as part of resilient and farmer-led seed systems.

The conversation highlights how community seed registries can support farmers' rights to conserve, use, exchange, and further develop their own seeds.

02/10/2026

NO TO UPOV! ✊

On September 23, 2026, Thai farmer groups marched to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Bangkok, Thailand to raise their concerns over the Thailand–European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), particularly the proposal concerning plant variety protection under UPOV 1991. The farmers called on the Thai government to reject the inclusion of UPOV 1991 in the FTA, amid ongoing negotiations.

The Philippines has also been facing similar concerns over the proposed inclusion of UPOV 1991 since April of this year. On September 22, 2026, the Philippines and the European Union announced that they had reached a substantial agreement on their Free Trade Agreement. The full text of the agreement is not yet publicly available as of this writing.

At SEARICE, we stand in solidarity with Thai farmers who share a collective struggle with Filipino farmers in defending farmers’ rights, seed sovereignty, and the diversity of our plant genetic resources.

Protect farmers' rights!

Towards Organic Asia Alliance

01/10/2026

Vote for Bisol! 🤎

SEARICE is proud to share that we are one of the finalists in the Agrobiodiversity as Roots of Resilience Photo with a Story Contest!

Please support our entry, “Roots Take Many Forms,” captured in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

Find the entry submitted by our Program Officer for Policy and Advocacy, Khristine Magguddayao. Cast your vote for Bisol! 🤎

Your vote will help shine a light on the diverse roots of resilience found in our farming communities. Click the link below:

Vote for your favorite finalist in the

30/09/2026

🌱 A step forward for agroecology in the Philippines.

Two months after our discussion with the Department of Agriculture, we are glad to see a concrete step toward institutionalizing agroecology through the creation of a Technical Working Group (TWG) on Agroecology.

This comes after the discussions and engagement of SEARICE, together with other civil society organizations that are part of the Agroecology Coalition, with the Department of Agriculture on strengthening agroecology implementation in the Philippines.

The TWG will help coordinate, monitor, and support the development and implementation of policies, programs, activities, and projects that contribute to agroecology transitions.

We welcome this development and remain ready to work with the Department of Agriculture, the Agroecology Coalition, and other partners in advancing agroecology toward more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food systems.

We are sharing again our earlier article on the importance of collaboration in strengthening agroecology implementation in the Philippines. The DA Special Order creating the TWG is also linked below.

https://www.da.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/so1338_s2026.pdf

Photo from: Department of Agriculture (DA)As biodiversity loss continues to threaten global food systems, the need to rethink how food is produced has become increasingly urgent. While agriculture is often identified as a contributor to climate change and environmental degradation, it is important t...

26/09/2026

Sa kanilang mga kamay ay sumisibol ang pag-asa.

In the provinces of North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, farmers are actively improving their plant genetic resources through breeding. The seeds their hands created have now traveled to the Visayas, alongside the decades of wisdom carried with them.

Meet Nong Arman, Diego, Eddie, and Wado—four farmers who have dedicated their lives to generously sharing their expertise with their peers. Because for them, knowledge knows no borders, and generosity ripples the advocacy for farmers’ rights.

Watch the full documentary now.



Music:
Pagsibol
Written by John Owen Castro
Performed by Munimuni
Courtesy of MARILAG Recordings

The use of this music in this video is with permission and in accordance with an agreement with the recording company. Full credit is given to the respective copyright owners and creators. This video is produced for advocacy and informational purposes and is not intended for commercial profit from the use of the music.

We thank the artists and MARILAG Recordings for allowing us to use Pagsibol in sharing the stories and voices of farmers.

21/09/2026

SEARICE will participate in the Mekong-ASEAN Environmental Week (MAEW2026), themed “People’s Currents: From Local Resistance to Collective Power,” from September 23–26, 2026, at Thammasat University, Tha Phra Chan, Bangkok, Thailand. Khristine Maggudayao, Program Officer for Policy and Advocacy, will represent SEARICE at the event.

The dialogue will connect the experiences of farmers, communities, and civil society organizations with policy discussions on food systems, farmers’ rights, and natural resource management. Through this engagement, SEARICE will contribute perspectives from its work in policy and advocacy that support sustainable food systems and farmer's rights.

19/09/2026

18/09/2026

Bringing Conversations on Best Practices in Philippine Agriculture 🌾

Municipal and City Agriculture Offices, civil society organizations, academic partners, farmer organizations, and national government representatives gathered for DASIG: Discovering Agricultural Solutions through Inclusive Governance, held on September 17–18, 2026.

The two-day workshop provided a space for participants to exchange experiences and learn from the best practices of various local government units in advancing farmers’ welfare and rights. It also explored how inclusive governance and multi-stakeholder collaboration can contribute to more responsive and effective agricultural programs and policies through discussions and knowledge-sharing among LGU representatives.

A key highlight of the event was a series of discussions with Undersecretary Asis G. Perez, Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and Regulations. Participants took the opportunity to explain the current state of agricultural extension workers at the municipal level. These discussions provided insights into the challenges faced by local agriculture sector and the need for stronger coordination and support across governance levels. Former Governor Rafael Coscolluela and Board Member Nikko Yulo also graced the event and shared their perspectives.

Meanwhile, participants had the opportunity to present the initiatives and practices of their respective municipalities and cities through a series of workshops.

Through DASIG, SEARICE continues to advocate for inclusive governance and effective multi-stakeholder partnerships that place farmers’ welfare and rights at the center of agricultural development.