The Philippine Association of Agriculturists (PAA), Inc., the only Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) for agriculture in the Philippines, will be holding its 10th National Congress and the 2023 Philippine Agriculturists' Summit on 25–27 July 2023 at SMX Convention Center in Davao City, Davao del Sur.
The event will bring together experts, policymakers, and practitioners from various fields in agriculture. It aims to devise innovative solutions and strategies to ensure a resilient and sustainable future for the country's agricultural sector.
The high-profile summit will focus on the theme "Sustainable Transformation of Philippine Agro-Food Systems" and will showcase the collective determination of professionals in the agricultural industry to discuss the multifaceted issues impeding the agriculture sector.
Among the summit's notable guests and speakers are Hon. Sebastian Duterte, Davao City mayor; Dr. Arsenio Balisacan, secretary, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA); Mr. Stefano Pagiola, senior environmental economist, the World Bank; Dr. V. Bruce Tolentino, monetary board member, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP); Agnes Catherine Miranda, undersecretary for finance, Department of Agriculture (DA), and Dr. Glenn Gregorio, director, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).
Dr. Gregorio will discuss the Web-based Integrated and Spatial Engine and Smart Ecosystem (WISE) Carbon Farming initiative of SEARCA and will moderate the session on "Nurturing Farm Schools Amidst Emerging Trends in Agricultural Educational Technology" with Atty. Eric Reynoso, program head, SEARCA Emerging Innovation for Growth Department; and Dr. Rico Ancog, dean, School of Environmental Science and Management, University of the Philippines Los Baños, as panelists.
Under the overarching theme of sustainable transformation, attendees will explore key topics, such as agricultural policy and strategy in the era of digitalization, agrofood systems resilience and sustainability, and the role of agriculturists in achieving carbon neutrality. They will engage in panel discussions and networking sessions that will provide them with opportunities to share experiences and best practices. Through exchanging ideas, experiences, and expertise, the summit hopes to contribute to developing innovative and practical solutions that can drive the agricultural sector onward and upward.
The SEARCA exhibit at the back-to-back PAA events will showcase the Center's efforts in research, capacity building, institutional development, policy support, knowledge sharing, and partnerships to promote sustainable transformation of agrofood systems in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.