SEARCA Photo Contest 2025 Shifts Focus to Post-Harvest Agriculture Value Chain

The SEARCA Photo Contest 2025 is now accepting entries. This year’s theme highlights the crucial stages of agriculture after the harvest. The deadline for submissions is November 30, 2025.

Organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, the contest aims to showcase the unseen people and processes that bring food to our tables. It moves beyond traditional farm imagery to tell a more complete story.

Beyond the Harvest: A New Visual Narrative

The theme, “Beyond the Harvest: People and Processes in the Agriculture Value Chain,” seeks to illuminate the entire food journey. This includes postharvest handling, transport, and market trading. These vital steps ensure food safety and availability for consumers.

Photographers are encouraged to capture scenes of food transformation and digital innovation. Images can feature small enterprises, youth-led businesses, and the use of mobile technology in agriculture. The goal is to reveal the hidden connections within the food system.

Prizes and Judging for Southeast Asian Photographers

The competition offers significant cash prizes for the most compelling entries. The first prize is $1,000, with $800 for second place and $500 for third. A separate $500 SEARCA Center Director’s Choice award will also be given.

Judging will be based on three key criteria. Relevance to the theme carries the most weight at 40%. Technical quality and overall impact of the photograph each account for 30% of the score. The contest is open to all Southeast Asian nationals.

The 19th SEARCA Photo Contest offers a fresh perspective on a vital industry. It challenges photographers to document the entire agriculture value chain. This initiative brings deserved attention to the complex journey of our food.

Info at your fingertips

Who can join the SEARCA Photo Contest?

The contest is open to all nationals of Southeast Asian countries. SEARCA staff and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate.

What are the technical requirements for photo submissions?

Entries must be digital, colored JPEG files. They need to be at least 3,000 pixels on the longest side with a resolution of 300 dpi.

What is the total prize pool for the winners?

The total prize money amounts to $2,800. This is distributed across the first, second, and third prizes, plus the Director’s Choice award.

How does this year’s theme differ from previous contests?

Past contests often focused on farming and fishing scenes. The 2025 theme specifically highlights the post-harvest processes and people in the agriculture value chain.

Why is the value chain important for agriculture?

The value chain includes all steps that add value to a product after it is harvested. This includes processing, transport, and marketing, which are essential for food security and rural prosperity.