Deadline: November 30, 2025
Applications are open for 19th SEARCA Photo Contest 2025. When people think of agriculture, they often picture farms and fishers—the fields, the waters, the harvests. What we rarely see are the stories in between—the people and processes that bring food from its source all the way to the plate. From sorting and packaging to transport, trading, and selling, these steps are just as vital in making sure food is safe, fresh, and nourishing for everyone.
Themed “Beyond the Harvest: People and Processes in the Agriculture Value Chain,” the 19th SEARCA Photo Contest turns the spotlight on these “in-between” journeys—those overlooked moments that connect producers with markets, communities, and consumers. While past contests have celebrated farmers and their fields, this year we shine a light on the bigger story of agriculture—the journey that continues after the harvest, the people who make it possible, and the ways food creates prosperity beyond the farm or fishing ground.
Competition Details
They are looking for images that reveal the hidden heartbeat of agriculture—activities that show how food moves, transforms, and connects communities.
Your photos might capture:
- Postharvest care: Cleaning, sorting, drying, or preserving crops to keep them fresh and safe
- Food transformation: From artisanal food-making to small enterprises turning harvests into new products
- Transport and movement: Trucks, boats, bikes, or carts bringing produce from rural areas to towns and cities
- Markets and trade: The vibrant scenes of wholesale hubs, cooperatives, retail outlets, or busy market stalls
- Entrepreneurship: Youth- or women-led businesses adding creativity, branding, and value to local produce
- Digital tools: Mobile apps, QR payments, and online platforms that link farmers directly with buyers
- Consumer connections: The final step, where families, restaurants, and communities enjoy the fruits of this journey
- Working together: Cooperatives and associations pooling resources to grow stronger together
Prizes
- First Prize: $1,000 and a Certificate
- Second Prize: $800 and a Certificate
- Third Prize: $500 and a Certificate
- SEARCA Center Director’s Choice: $500 and a Certificate
Eligibility
- Open to all Southeast Asian nationals, except SEARCA staff and their immediate family members.
- Entries must be digital, colored, in JPEG format, and at least 3,000 pixels wide for a horizontal image or 3,000 pixels tall for a vertical image at 300 dpi.
Judging Criteria
Photos will be judged based on the following criteria:
- Relevance to the theme: 40%
- Technical quality (clarity, use of tones and color, photographic composition): 30%
- Impact: 30%
Application
For more information, visit 19th SEARCA Photo Contest.
