The Department of Agriculture (DA) is prioritizing climate-resilient and technology-driven programs in its proposed PHP216.1-billion budget for 2026.

During the budget deliberation of the Senate Committee on Finance Subcommittee J on Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the proposed allocation represents a “meaningful investment” in the country’s food producers who continue to struggle with the effects of volatile commodity prices and extreme weather conditions.

“Ang budget ng DA para sa susunod na taon ay hindi lamang numero, ito ay pangako natin sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda (The DA’s budget for next year is not just a number, it is our promise to our farmers and fisherfolk),” Laurel said.

He said the DA’s key priorities for 2026 are anchored on three main goals: modernization, income growth, and resiliency.

The department aims to advance modernization through farm mechanization, digital agriculture, and research-based technologies to boost yields and reduce production costs.

It also plans to enhance income growth by improving market access, strengthening supply chains, and expanding support under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund and other productivity programs.

Meanwhile, resiliency programs will focus on building climate-proof infrastructure, investing in disaster preparedness, and developing climate-resilient crops to ensure food security in disaster-prone regions.

The DA reported that the agriculture and fisheries sector grew by 4.49 percent in the first half of 2025, with crops and poultry showing strong performance despite slight contractions in livestock and fisheries. The sector contributed 8 percent to the national GDP, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

To address persistent poverty, the department cited that the poverty incidence among farmers and fisherfolk dropped to 27.4 percent and 27 percent, respectively, in 2023 — continuing a steady improvement from double-digit declines over the past decade.

The proposed 2026 budget includes PHP112.7 billion for maintenance and operating expenses, PHP56.1 billion for capital outlay, and PHP7.9 billion for personnel services.

Laurel said the agency’s agenda aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028 and the Bagong Pilipinas Framework, both of which aim to make agriculture more productive and resilient.

“This budget is not just about funding — it is about fairness, urgency, and shared responsibility. Sama-sama nating tiyakin na ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda ay hindi lamang mabubuhay kundi mabubuhay ng may dignidad at kaunlaran (Let us work together to ensure that our farmers and fisherfolk will not just survive but live with dignity and progress),” Laurel told senators. (PNA)