BACOLOD City – More than 2,000 agriculturists from across the Philippines gathered at the SMX Convention Center, SM City Bacolod, for the 12th National Congress and 2025 Philippine Agriculturists’ Summit, which runs from July 29 to August 2.
The five-day event, hosted by the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, brings together agriculturists, policymakers, advocates, and stakeholders to exchange knowledge on agricultural research, sustainable practices, and innovations that aim to future-proof the country’s food systems.
This year’s theme, “Transforming Agriculture Towards a Resilient and Sustainable Food System,” highlights the growing urgency of addressing climate, economic, and technological challenges in the agricultural sector.
In his welcome address, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson emphasized the sector’s vital role in building strong food value chains and sustaining a vibrant rural economy that supports millions of Filipino families.
“The challenges we have faced in recent years—including natural calamities, pandemic disruptions, and market instabilities—have reminded us that agriculture is not just the foundation of our food security, but of our very survival,” Lacson said.
He also echoed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), which underscored the need for sustained investment in food production, farmer support, and the modernization of agricultural systems—all aligning with the summit’s objectives.
Lacson assured participants that the government remains committed to helping farmers become more productive, climate-resilient, and better connected to markets.
“We hope this summit becomes a venue for innovative ideas, transformative strategies, and strong partnerships—so that together, we can build a food system that is resilient, inclusive, and sustainable for future generations,” he added.
Dr. Eufemio Rasco Jr., agriculture lead at the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), stressed the importance of embracing artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture. He said AI will play a key role in supporting government policies and transforming the country’s food systems.
“Evolution science tells us that the trait to avoid extinction is adaptation. All of us must learn new skills—learning with, rather than in competition with, AI,” Rasco said, citing how business process outsourcing (BPO) firms in Bacolod are already integrating AI in fields such as medical transcription, data analytics, and finance.
The congress also tackled the implementation of Republic Act No. 12215, a newly enacted law that strengthens the professional role of registered agriculturists in the Philippines. The law acknowledges their critical contributions to food security, national development, and rural transformation./PN
