Over 100 national and regional stakeholders gathered for the National Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Summit 2025, held on November 25–28, 2025, to advance mechanization, irrigation, and infrastructure development in the agriculture and fisheries sector.
Spearheaded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) through its National Committee on Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (CAFMech) and the Policy Development Coordination Division–Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization and Infrastructure Support Section (AFMISS), the four-day Summit provided a platform to align policies, review program performance, and identify priority interventions for a more modern and climate-resilient agri-fisheries sector.
With the theme “Advancing Mechanization, Irrigation and Drainage Systems, and Infrastructure for a Resilient and Modern Agriculture and Fisheries Sector,” the event tackled persistent challenges such as low mechanization adoption, climate vulnerability, and gaps in rural infrastructure.
PCAF Executive Director Bernadette De Los Santos emphasized during her welcome message that this gathering “brings together the country’s leading institutions, innovators, practitioners, and advocates to collectively assess the current landscape of agricultural and fisheries mechanization, irrigation and drainage systems management, and agri-fisheries infrastructure development.”
In his keynote message, Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary for Operations and Agri-Fisheries Mechanization Engr. Roger Navarro underscored the urgency of boosting mechanization and modern infrastructure to strengthen food security and improve farmers’ and fisherfolk’s productivity.
He emphasized that mechanization, irrigation and drainage development, and strategic facilities are “foundational investments” to ensure a competitive and future-ready food system. Aligning with the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028 and the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., he also highlighted accomplishments under the AFMech Law, RCEF Mechanization Program, and the National Irrigation Program, while acknowledging the need to address fragmented logistics and low technology adoption.
“Let this Summit be a catalyst for coordinated action. Together, let us build a modern Philippine agriculture that is resilient, competitive, and ready for the future,” Navarro said.
Participants of the Summit included representatives from various DA Bureaus and Attached Agencies, DA Regional Field Offices, local government units, the academe, private sector suppliers, farmers’ and fishers’ cooperatives and associations, and irrigators’ associations.
Discussions centered on the three thematic areas that include agricultural and fisheries machinery and equipment, irrigation and drainage systems, and agricultural and fisheries infrastructure.
Key presentations from BAFE, AMTEC, PhilMech, NIA, BSWM, BFAR, HVCDP, NLP, and other institutions highlighted policy and regulatory updates, program performance and gaps, climate-resilient technologies, and best practices across the agri-fisheries value chain.
The Summit concluded with the drafting of consolidated policy resolutions and priority action points that will be submitted to DA and other relevant agencies for consideration, contributing to stronger inter-agency collaboration and evidence-based policymaking.
During his closing message, CAFMech Chairperson Rodolfo Tamayo thanked the PCAF-AFMISS Team and reaffirmed the government’s continuing commitment to modernize Philippine agriculture and fisheries. He added that the Summit served as a platform for farmers and fisherfolk to gain access to available technologies, infrastructure, and systems that support higher productivity and resilience amid evolving climate and market challenges.
Text and photos by Junry Danila
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