BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
LOS BAÑOS, Laguna (November 29)—A competition for photography enthusiasts by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) has set a November 30 deadline for submission of entries.
Searca director Dr. Glenn Gregorio said the photo contest themed “Emerging Agricultural Innovations for the Next Generation” is open to Filipinos and nationals of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
“We are looking for images that show technologies and innovation that are modernizing and transforming agriculture and rural development towards increased food supply and security,” Gregorio said.
He said entries can be photos that “showcase farmers and farming families, researchers, inventors, and students and the youth using technologies and innovations in the field as part of agricultural production and experimentation.”
Gregorio added that photos of agricultural innovation can be anything across the broad spectrum of crop cultivation, livestock raising or animal husbandry, and fisheries.
“They can be images that show 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,” he added.
Gregorio also noted that agricultural technologies can also be those developed by local communities or the youth using indigenous materials or tribal knowledge.
“We also welcome photos that capture climate-smart or environment-friendly innovations and technologies that make agriculture more sustainable and resilient against typhoons, floods, pests and diseases,” he said.
Prizes await the top three winners as well as those winning the Searca Director’s Choice, Philippine Education Secretary’s Choice, People’s Choice Award, Best Agricultural Innovation or Technology, and Best Youth Photographer.
For this 16th-year edition of the contest, all entries must be submitted to Searca online via https://photocontest.searca.org.