Under the bright skies of General Santos City, hundreds of farmers, industry leaders, government representatives, and agricultural advocates gathered with one shared goal: to build a more sustainable and inclusive future for the country’s livestock and poultry sector.

From October 14 to 17, 2025, the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA) National Livestock Program and other partner agencies like the National Dairy Authority and the Philippine Carabao Center, hosted the 2025 National Livestock and Poultry Summit. The four-day convergence of ideas, experiences, and commitments aimed to strengthen one of the country’s most vital agricultural industries.

The Summit, held as part of the DA’s annual celebration of National Livestock Month, served as both a platform and a promise: a platform for open dialogue and collaboration, and a promise to ensure that the voices of farmers and stakeholders continue to shape the nation’s agricultural policies.

In her message, PCAF Executive Director Bernadette De Los Santos emphasized the agency’s dedication to inclusive and participatory governance. “At PCAF, we remain committed to making sure that the voices of our stakeholders are heard and reflected in our national policies and programs,” she said. “The discussions and recommendations from this summit will surely guide us toward a more inclusive, safe, and competitive livestock and poultry sector, one that uplifts rural communities and sustains livelihoods.”

Beyond the discussions and presentations, the Summit offered a unique experience that took participants out of the conference hall and into the heart of agricultural innovation. Delegates visited REvive Croptech, Inc. (RCI) in Sarangani Province, where they witnessed sustainable and technology-driven farming in action.

The RCI team, led by Engr. Joey Bihag, Regional Manager, and Mr. Erwin Saballa, Chief Operating Officer of Biotech Farms, showcased their napier grass production and state-of-the-art farm machinery. They engaged participants in meaningful exchanges on how integrated farming systems and private sector partnerships can help corn and livestock farmers thrive amid changing market and environmental conditions.

The field visit offered not just technical insights but also a glimpse of what collective action can achieve. As one participant remarked, “It’s inspiring to see how collaboration between government and the private sector can lead to tangible improvements in productivity and livelihood.”

Inside the plenary halls, participants engaged in open forums and planning sessions that tackled pressing issues, such as: farm biosecurity, animal welfare, feed efficiency, and market competitiveness. The energy was palpable as farmers sharing their realities, experts offering solutions, and agencies listening intently.

The plenary session opened with an overview of the livestock and poultry industry, focusing on national supply and demand trends, cost structures, and market movements. Policy and program updates on biosecurity, disease surveillance, meat inspection, and regulatory compliance emphasized the need for stronger inter-agency coordination and field-level enforcement. The session also discussed the key provisions of the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act, highlighting institutional reforms and value chain modernization.

Further discussions addressed consumer preferences, market trends, and marketing support to guide producers toward market-responsive and quality-driven production. The importance of farm clustering and collective enterprise models was underscored to achieve economies of scale, improve market access, and strengthen community-based agribusiness. Inspirational sharing from youth and women farmers showcased innovation, leadership, and inclusivity, underscoring the need for broader participation and capacity building.

Key issues raised included rising production costs, limited feed availability, and disease risks affecting productivity and market stability. The plenary concluded with a synthesis of major recommendations, highlighting the need to strengthen the implementation of Republic Act No. 12308 or the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act, fast-track the investigation of the DA INSPIRE Program, and establish regional breeder and diagnostic facilities. It also called for stricter biosecurity and inspection measures and policies to protect animal health and sustain carabao herd growth. Overall, the session emphasized coordinated inter-agency action to enhance competitiveness, food safety, and industry resilience.

A video presentation capped the event, highlighting the active participation and camaraderie that defined the Summit. For many, the 2025 National Livestock and Poultry Summit was more than a conference. It was a reminder that meaningful change happens when voices from all corners of the sector come together.

Through this effort, led by the Policy Development and Coordination Division, PCAF continues to uphold its mission of participatory policy development and stakeholder empowerment ensuring that agriculture remains not just productive, but people centered.| Junry Danila