PASIG CITY, Philippines — Digitalization is no longer a distant aspiration for Philippine agriculture—it is now an urgent necessity. This was the resounding message from the Food and Agribusiness Forum: Digital Transformation in Philippine Food and Agribusiness—Innovations for the Future convened by the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 14 March 2025 at the UA&P Celestino Dizon Auditorium.
The forum brought together agribusiness leaders, policymakers, researchers, and digital innovators to explore how digital technologies can reshape Philippine agriculture by improving productivity, streamlining supply chains, enhancing market access, nurturing inclusive growth, and fostering multistakeholder partnership.
Dr. Bernardo Villegas, UA&P co-founder and renowned economist, delivered the keynote address. He emphasized the need for a strategic approach focused on four key pillars: farm consolidation, crop diversification, digitalization, and industrialization. He underscored that digital transformation must complement, not replace, traditional farming methods while contributing to job creation, poverty reduction, and food security.
"Digitalization should empower our farmers, not displace them. With the right investments and policies, the Philippines can become a major agribusiness player in Asia," Dr. Villegas asserted.
The forum featured four panel sessions that addressed digital innovation in farm production, logistics and market access, agri-financing, and policy and partnerships.
Digitalization in Farm Production and Postharvest
The Panel Session 1 discussed the benefits of data-driven decision-making tools, smart irrigation systems, ICT crop-based management, and open-sourced platforms in modernizing farming practices. However, limited rural infrastructure and digital illiteracy among smallholders remain major hurdles in the country's digitalization in agricultural production and postharvest.
While technologies such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and artificial intelligence (AI) tools are being adopted, panelists emphasized the need for stronger data infrastructure, farmer training, and localized, cost-effective digital solutions. The panel experts in this session were Mr. Christian Eyde Moeller, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lionheart Farms; Ms. Gillian Santos, CEO and Co-Founder, Anihan Agritech; Mr. Julius Barcelona, CEO, Harbest Agribusiness; and Dr. Wilfredo Collado, Senior Science Research Specialist, Philippine Rice Research Institute.
Digitalization in Logistics and Market Access
Panel Session 2focused on digital supply chains and e-commerce platforms as solutions to reduce postharvest losses and strengthen farm-to-market linkages. Challenges cited included poor connectivity, limited market access, and the need for government support to harmonize multi-sectoral efforts. The panelists advocated for increased financial inclusion and local hubs for consumption as well as enhanced public-private coordination to empower smallholder farmers.
The session was moderated by Dr. Ruel Maningas, Professor and Program Director, UA&P Masters in Applied Business Analytics (MABA) Program, , and featured Mr. JT Solis, CEO and Co-Founder, Mayani; Mr. Marc Concio, CEO and Co-Founder, KITA Agritech; Mr. Henry James Sison, CEO, Agro-DigitalPH; and Ms. Irish Atrivo, Marketing Specialist, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), Department of Agriculture (DA).
Financing in Digital Agriculture
The third panel tackled how fintech platforms like GCash and Maya are increasing farmers' access to credit, breaking traditional barriers to agricultural loans. Panelists acknowledged that many smallholder farmers lack the formal financial records required to qualify for loans and highlighted the importance of cybersecurity, financial literacy, and inclusive lending models.
Moderated by Dr. V. Bruce Tolentino, Professor, College of Public Affairs and Development, University of the Philippines Los Baños, the panel included Engr. Edgardo Luzano, Assistant Vice President, Land Bank of the Philippines; Mr. Angelo Madrid, President, Maya Bank; Mr. Tony Isidro, President and CEO, Fuse Lending, GCash; Dr. Honorio Flameño, Director, DA Information and Communications Technology Service.
Policy and Partnerships
The final panel stressed that without effective policies and widespread grassroots adoption, digitalization efforts will stall. The discussion called for regulatory reforms, more public-private partnerships, and national-level implementation of regional digital frameworks like the ASEAN Guidelines on Agri-Digitalization to accelerate digital adoption. Panelists also called for increased investment in infrastructure, training, and youth engagement to bridge the digital divide and build trust in digital tools.
This session was moderated by Dr. Roehlano Briones, Senior Fellow, Philippine Institute for Development Studies. The panelists were Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, then incoming SEARCA Center Director, SEARCA (assumed office on 1 April 2025); Dr. Nerlita Manalili, Consultant, Nexxus Solutions; and Ms. Ma. Angela Primitiva Bautista, Country Director, Philippines Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (PPSA).
In her synthesis, Dr. Nur Azura binti Adam, SEARCA Deputy Director for Programs, reiterated the value of research and development, capacity enhancement, and cross-sectoral collaboration in achieving inclusive digitalization. Dr. Glenn Gregorio, SEARCA Center Director at the time of the forum, closed the event by calling for action.
"Let's collaborate, innovate, and ensure that digital transformation in agriculture benefits everyone. This is not just about technology—it's about empowerment and sustainability," Dr. Gregorio said.
The forum highlighted the growing consensus that while digital technologies hold transformative potential for Philippine agriculture, inclusive implementation, strong policy support, and multi-stakeholder cooperation are essential to achieving its long-term impact.
