By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Senator Francis Pangilinan has called for the accelerated adoption of smart agriculture and climate-resilient technologies, stressing that innovation and organization are key to ensuring the Philippines’ long-term food security.
Speaking before delegates at the 10th ClickConEx: Convergence of Luzon ICT Champions and Exhibitions in Naga City on Friday, Pangilinan underscored the importance of empowering farmers and fisherfolk through technology, training, and institutional support.
As chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, Pangilinan said the country’s food producers must be equipped with modern tools and resources to improve productivity and withstand the challenges posed by climate change and market uncertainties.
Pangilinan emphasized that digital technology can provide farmers and fisherfolk with real-time access to weather forecasts, pest and disease alerts, market prices, and technical farming advice through mobile devices.
He added that information and communications technology (ICT) can help bridge the gap between producers and consumers by creating more efficient and transparent supply chains.
“If we want to have an ample food supply, we must mobilize resources toward the weakest link and provide them with capacity, technology, organization, and extension services,” Pangilinan said.
The senator clarified that technological advancements should not replace traditional agricultural practices but rather complement the knowledge accumulated by generations of farmers and fisherfolk.
According to Pangilinan, indigenous farming practices and local expertise remain valuable assets that can be enhanced through scientific research, data-driven solutions, and digital innovation.
He said the combination of traditional wisdom and modern technology would help agricultural communities become more productive and resilient.
Pangilinan also reiterated his support for the reestablishment of the Bureau of Agriculture Cooperatives, saying stronger cooperatives would enable farmers and fisherfolk to gain better access to financing, equipment, and markets.
Through organized cooperatives, producers can purchase farm inputs at lower costs, secure credit more easily, invest in machinery, process their products, and negotiate better prices for their harvests.
“What is the point of technology if our food producers are not organized? Any intervention from national or local governments will not be sustainable if farmers and fisherfolk are not organized and capacitated,” he said.
The senator pointed to neighboring agricultural economies such as Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand as examples of how strong cooperatives, associations, and regulatory support can drive agricultural growth.
He said the Philippines can draw lessons from these countries by strengthening grassroots organizations and ensuring that technological innovations reach even the smallest farming and fishing communities.
Pangilinan maintained that empowering food producers through organization, innovation, and education remains essential to achieving a secure and sustainable food system for the country.
ia/xf
