The Department of Agriculture (DA) has bared a $108.88 million agrifood investment portfolio focused on mango, abaca, seaweeds, and bamboo at the 2025 Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum during the World Food Forum hosted by the FAO on 14 October this year.
The initiative, which aims to benefit over 35,000 rural stakeholders, is projected to yield a net present value of $131.9 million and an internal rate of return of 35 percent, while sequestering over 280,000 tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions.
The DA highlighted the country’s edge in seaweed farming, citing its global leadership in carrageenan production. With over 73,000 hectares of untapped areas, the agency said expanding seaweed operations could boost farmer incomes by up to 60 percent.
For mangoes, the portfolio includes investments in cold storage, post-harvest treatment, and value-added processing such as frozen mangoes and purees. The project, centered on Guimaras’ GI-certified mangoes, is expected to bring an IRR of 39.58 percent and an NPV of $83.4 million.
The abaca project aims to address a 25,000 MT global supply gap. Despite supplying 85 percent of global abaca fiber, the Philippines seeks to expand processing facilities and rehabilitate farms, potentially raising farmer incomes by 50 percent and posting a 28.36 percent IRR.
Meanwhile, the bamboo component targets the rising global demand for sustainable materials, with 1.5 million hectares identified for cultivation. The initiative covers five regions and is seen to deliver a 33 percent IRR.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. underscored the country’s ambition to become a major agribusiness hub in Asia, pushing for mechanization, digitalization, and strong public-private partnerships.
The Philippine delegation also held bilateral talks with FAO director general Qu Dongyu and global partners to explore opportunities in climate-smart agriculture and value chain innovation. Philippine agrifood products were featured in a global exhibition, showcasing mangoes, coconuts, and seaweed-based snacks.Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has bared a $108.88 million agrifood investment portfolio focused on mango, abaca, seaweeds, and bamboo at the 2025 Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum during the World Food Forum hosted by the FAO on 14 October this year.
The initiative, which aims to benefit over 35,000 rural stakeholders, is projected to yield a net present value of $131.9 million and an internal rate of return of 35 percent, while sequestering over 280,000 tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions.
The DA highlighted the country’s edge in seaweed farming, citing its global leadership in carrageenan production. With over 73,000 hectares of untapped areas, the agency said expanding seaweed operations could boost farmer incomes by up to 60 percent.
For mangoes, the portfolio includes investments in cold storage, post-harvest treatment, and value-added processing such as frozen mangoes and purees. The project, centered on Guimaras’ GI-certified mangoes, is expected to bring an IRR of 39.58 percent and an NPV of $83.4 million.
The abaca project aims to address a 25,000 MT global supply gap. Despite supplying 85 percent of global abaca fiber, the Philippines seeks to expand processing facilities and rehabilitate farms, potentially raising farmer incomes by 50 percent and posting a 28.36 percent IRR.
Meanwhile, the bamboo component targets the rising global demand for sustainable materials, with 1.5 million hectares identified for cultivation. The initiative covers five regions and is seen to deliver a 33 percent IRR.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. underscored the country’s ambition to become a major agribusiness hub in Asia, pushing for mechanization, digitalization, and strong public-private partnerships.
The Philippine delegation also held bilateral talks with FAO director general Qu Dongyu and global partners to explore opportunities in climate-smart agriculture and value chain innovation. Philippine agrifood products were featured in a global exhibition, showcasing mangoes, coconuts, and seaweed-based snacks.
