The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday said 10 Philippine startups and micro-agripreneurs showcased their products and technologies at Taiwan Smart Agriweek 2026, seeking to attract interest from international markets.

In a statement, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu underscored the significance of the initiative to help Filipino agribusinesses thrive beyond the country’s borders.

“Bringing our agri-startups to Taiwan and other international markets opens doors to investment, technology, exports, and commercial partnerships,” he said.

“These opportunities can help promising Filipino enterprises scale while creating more value and opportunities for our farmers, entrepreneurs, and workers.”

Four of the 10 participating Philippine enterprises were named among the Top 40 finalists of the Global Agrifood Innovation Championship from hundreds of applicants.

These include PHYTOSPHERE Agro-Biotech Processing Enterprise, which develops botanical pesticides and agricultural inputs; and WamPLVS+, which turns watermelon peels and rinds into WamPow, a natural preservative and additive.

Also selected were Farmyra Technologies Corp., which utilizes automation and data analytics for smarter farming; as well as PETROTECHS, with its MusselFlex device and digital platform seeking to reduce manual labor while connecting producers with buyers and market information.

The Philippine delegation also included other enterprises such as Mira’s Food and Agriventure Inc., Bluecrust Processed Food Manufacturing, Eco-Pure Cleaning Solutions, Jeepney Republic TW, Ferncrest Dairy Farm, and Kuya Bs Mushroom Products.

Besides the opportunity to participate, the event also allowed them to gain exposure to Taiwan’s business and innovation ecosystem, helpful for assessing market interest and exploring possible partnerships.

For her part, DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra said this exposure through regional exhibitions seeks to expand opportunities and provide commercial pathways for Filipino innovation in agriculture across overseas markets.

“May this platform serve as another bridge for agricultural cooperation between Manila and Taipei, connecting Filipino agricultural innovation with investment, Philippine products with international markets, and our farmers, entrepreneurs, and workers with greater opportunities across the agricultural value chain,” she said.

The initiative was made possible through the coordination between the Department of Agriculture–Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS) and the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), as well as the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC)–Taipei. (PNA)