SEARCA and DLG Invite Innovators to Agritechnica Hackathon at AGRINNOVATE Southeast Asia Summit 2026
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in partnership with the German Agricultural Society (DLG), is calling on students, researchers, faculty members, startups, engineers, developers, and innovators across Southeast Asia to join the Agritechnica Hackathon and compete for the prestigious SEARCA AGRINNOVATE Farmer-First Award.
Set within the AGRINNOVATE Southeast Asia Summit at Agritechnica Asia 2026, the hackathon will take place from 20–22 May 2026 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC), Thailand. The summit will convene regional and global leaders in smart farming, digital agriculture, automation, sustainability, and agricultural innovation.
At the heart of the summit, the Agritechnica Hackathon, organized in collaboration with the DLG Prototype Club, will challenge participants to design and develop practical, AI-powered solutions to address real-world agricultural challenges. The hackathon welcomes both individuals and teams from Southeast Asia, including students, researchers, teaching faculty, startup founders, developers, designers, young professionals, and agricultural innovators.
Hackathon Challenges
Participants will tackle four real-world agricultural technology use cases:
- Machine Tracker – Develop a real-time system to track and monitor agricultural machinery across large-scale farms.
- Driver Monitoring – Create a solution to evaluate and compare driver performance using data-driven insights.
- Master of Plowing – Build an optimization tool to maximize field operations under time constraints and unpredictable weather.
- Surprise Box – Transform limited machine data into actionable insights through innovative interface design.
Awards and Opportunities
Winning teams will receive the SEARCA AGRINNOVATE Farmer-First Award, recognizing AI-driven solutions that deliver meaningful impact for farmers through practical, accessible, and human-centered innovation. Submissions will be evaluated based on four sustainability dimensions:
- Pocket – boosting farmer income and resilience
- Plate – strengthening food systems
- Place – promoting climate resilience
- People – enhancing inclusion and quality of life
Awardees will gain access to SEARCA’s innovation ecosystem, including incubation and acceleration support, mentoring, networking with international experts, and linkages with universities and technology hubs across Southeast Asia and beyond.
Voices from SEARCA
“Farmers must remain at the center of agricultural innovation. Through the AGRINNOVATE Southeast Asia Summit and the Agritechnica Hackathon, we aim to empower the next generation of innovators to develop solutions that are not only technologically advanced, but also practical, inclusive, and responsive to the realities faced by farming communities,” said Dr. Emil John Cabrera, Program Head of SEARCA’s Emerging Innovation for Growth Department (EIGD).
He added, “The SEARCA Agrinnovate Farmer-First Award reflects our commitment to supporting innovations that improve livelihoods, strengthen food systems, and contribute to sustainable agricultural transformation in Southeast Asia.”
Participation
Participation in the hackathon is free. Selected participants will also gain access to AGRITECHNICA ASIA activities, networking sessions, and collaboration opportunities with international agriculture and technology stakeholders.
Interested participants may register and learn more via:
About SEARCA
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) is one of the specialist institutions of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO). SEARCA accelerates transformation through agricultural innovation in Southeast Asia by strengthening human, institutional, and knowledge capacities.
About DLG
The German Agricultural Society (DLG) is an internationally recognized organization promoting innovation in agriculture and the food sector through exhibitions, knowledge exchange, networking, and applied research. DLG organizes AGRITECHNICA, the world’s leading trade fair for agricultural machinery and smart farming.
Source: SEARCA – Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture
