The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pitching the Philippines’ agriculture sector as a viable destination for global capital as it seeks to attract private investment into farming, fisheries, and rural infrastructure.

At the ceremonial signing of the partnership for the Hand-in-Hand National Investment Forum 2026 held at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday, 16 March, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the initiative marks a shift in how the Philippines presents its agri-fisheries sector to the global investment community.

Private capital channeled into agriculture

The forum, organized in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), aims to channel private capital into projects across the agriculture value chain, including farm production, food processing, logistics, and rural infrastructure.

“Today, we formalize our shared vision for the agri-fisheries sector,” Tiu Laurel said, noting that the initiative brings development institutions and private investors together to accelerate rural growth.

The National Investment Forum forms part of the FAO’s Hand-in-Hand initiative, a global platform that links data-driven agricultural priorities with financing and technical expertise. By hosting the forum in Manila, the government hopes to translate international interest in Philippine agriculture into concrete investment opportunities.

The initiative supports the economic agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose administration has emphasized strengthening agriculture to improve food security and raise rural incomes.

Tiu Laurel said the country’s participation in recent FAO Hand-in-Hand Investment Forums demonstrated that Philippine agriculture could attract the attention of global financiers.