Embracing technological advancements is essential to attract the younger generation to farming and to address the sector's declining productivity and profitability, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

In a forum organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Laurel noted that although agriculture employs nearly one-fifth of the Filipino workforce, it contributes less than 10 percent to the country's Gross Domestic Product.

With the average age of Filipino farmers now at 56 years old, Laurel highlighted the urgent need for modernization to counteract the aging farming population.

“The big challenge we face is making farming profitable,” said Laurel. “The solution lies in embracing technology-based farming methods.”

The DA chief cited successful local innovations in Hermosa and Dinalupihan, Bataan, where technologies such as small water impounding systems, fertigation techniques, and drip irrigation have significantly improved crop production.

These advancements, he said, have reduced fertilizer use by up to 70 percent and water consumption by 30 percent, optimizing resource efficiency and lowering costs.

Looking to the future, Laurel expressed interest in scaling up agricultural practices with large-scale greenhouse facilities, inspired by South Korea’s extensive use of such technology.

He committed to personally investing in testing these greenhouse technologies before endorsing widespread adoption.

Drawing inspiration from Vietnam’s agricultural policies, which include subsidies and guaranteed earnings for farmers, Laurel stressed the need for similar support measures in the Philippines.

As such, the DA chief called for a paradigm shift in agricultural education to focus on modern farming techniques, equipping landowners and tenants with the knowledge needed to maximize productivity and income.

As to financial support, Laurel advocated for increased access to government-backed loans, noting that the Agricultural Credit Policy Council has disbursed only P100 million out of P600 million available funds. He also underscored the importance of robust crop insurance coverage to mitigate risks for farmers and foster confidence in adopting new technologies.

The four-year plan crafted by Laurel’s team seeks to increase agri-fishery production through increased mechanization, improved post-harvest systems and infrastructures, efficient logistics, expanded market access, digitalization, and strengthened partnerships with farmers, fisherfolk, and the private sector.