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SEARCA Photo Contest 2018 opens for entries

  • 7 September 2018

SEARCA’s 12th Photo Contest theme: Managing Climate Uncertainties and Scarce Water Resources

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA, Philippines — On its 12th year, the awaited annual regional SEARCA Photo Contest has officially opened for submissions from photo enthusiasts across Southeast Asia, starting on 7 September 2018.

For 2018, SEARCA looks at its contributing role in the light of its efforts to bring to fore, and unify into a regional cooperation, many efforts that respond to the inevitable growing concern on climate uncertainties and water scarcity in the Southeast Asian region. SEARCA's 12th Photo Contest theme "Managing Climate Uncertainties and Scarce Water Resources," aims to put a spotlight into an already familiar challenge in agriculture that continues to call for cohesive, persistent, and novel response among governments, regional research and development institutions, the academe, multilateral organizations, donor organizations, civil society, and other advocates. 

Climate uncertainties and water scarcity are two of the most challenging issues affecting food production today, specifically in the agriculture sector. While, by themselves, they have proven to be enormous hurdles to feeding a burgeoning world populace, climate uncertainties and water scarcity cannot be isolated from a broad spectrum of concerns affecting not only food production, but food security. The interlink entails a balancing act among development facets such as science and technology, ecosystem sustainability, policy environments, smallholder farming, intensive agriculture, and conservation agriculture.

As such, exceptional photos on managing climate uncertainties and water scarcity in Southeast Asia are sought, broadly highlighting science and technology innovations, efficient and sustainable food production, and cause and/or effect of climate change and/or water scarcity.

Specifically, "science and technology innovations" may be depicted in images of water management, research activities, partnerships among scientists and farmers, dissemination of information, and other forms of support to farmers. "Efficient and sustainable food production" will include photos on sustainable farming practices, conservation practices, urban farming, youth in agriculture, and preservation of community heritage and culture. For "cause and/or effect of climate change and/or water scarcity," images on erratic weather disturbances and degraded agricultural or forestry resources are sought.

The SEARCA Photo Contest 2018 is open to all Southeast Asian nationals, and photo entries should be taken within Southeast Asia. Entries will only be accepted until midnight, 30 November 2018, Philippine Standard Time (GMT +8:00). Guidelines for submission are detailed in the submission portal http://photocontest.searca.org. First place photo receives USD 800, second place gets USD 500, third place receives USD 300, and People's Choice gets USD 200.