The Philippine government is promoting agriculture as a profitable investment sector, urging global financiers to see it not just as a development issue but as a viable business opportunity.
At a partnership signing held at the Asian Development Bank, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the government wants to reposition the country’s agri-fisheries industry as a “bankable” sector for investors.
The event marked preparations for the Hand-in-Hand National Investment Forum 2026, organized with the Food and Agriculture Organization. The forum aims to attract private funding for projects in farming, fisheries, and rural infrastructure.
According to the Department of Agriculture, these areas offer strong growth potential but have long lacked sufficient investment.
The initiative is part of the global Hand-in-Hand (HIH) program led by the FAO, which uses data and partnerships to match agricultural priorities with financing and technical support. By hosting the forum in the Philippines, the government hopes to convert international interest into actual investments.
The effort also supports the economic agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose administration has emphasized boosting food security, modernizing agriculture, and raising rural incomes.
Philippine officials said the country gained attention from investors during the FAO Global Hand-in-Hand Investment Forums in 2024 and 2025. Bringing the event to Manila is intended to connect global investors directly with local stakeholders.
Agriculture employs millions of Filipinos but has struggled to attract large-scale investment due to supply chain gaps, climate risks, and limited infrastructure.
Through the upcoming forum, the government plans to showcase projects in priority commodities, including farm production, food processing, logistics, and value-chain development.
Officials say stronger private-sector participation will be key, as government funding alone is not enough to modernize the rural economy. The Department of Agriculture said the goal is to transform agriculture into a sustainable driver of economic growth while improving livelihoods for farmers and fishers.
