Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has called for urgent reforms in Philippine farming, stressing the need for sustainable, climate-smart practices to address the growing threats of climate change, shrinking farmlands, and population growth.
“These challenges are not distant threats. They are here now. They demand urgent, creative, and adaptive solutions,” Tiu Laurel said at the 2025 Sustainable Agriculture Forum hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.
He said that as the Philippines is highly vulnerable to extreme weather, resilience in agriculture is essential to food security, economic stability, and job creation.
“Climate change is not abstract here. Our farmers face their impacts daily—typhoons, droughts, unpredictable seasons. This is a clear call to change how we farm,” he said.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is promoting revised cropping calendars, greenhouse farming, water-saving methods, and mobile soil labs.
Precision and regenerative farming, supported by AI and digital tools, are also being introduced to improve efficiency and reduce losses.
Tiu Laurel also emphasized attracting younger generations to agriculture through mentorships, scholarships, and startup support.
He said with the average Filipino farmer now over 55, making farming “aspirational” is vital.
The DA is expanding crop insurance, early warning systems, and climate advisories, and is strengthening public-private partnerships to scale up innovations.
“The future of our agriculture depends on the choices we make now. We must support our farmers, embrace innovation, and build strong partnerships for a food-secure, sustainable future,” he said.
