The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR-BARMM) opened over P904-million (M) worth of investment opportunities for priority agri-fishery commodities under the Philippines’ Hand-in-Hand (HIH) Initiative during the 1st HIH National Investment Forum (NIF) held at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Headquarters on April 30, 2026.
DA Undersecretary for Special Concerns and for Official Development Assistance (ODA) – Foreign Aid/Grants Jerome Oliveros highlighted flagship commodities including mango, jackfruit, cacao, bamboo, and coffee, with investment requirements totaling over P727-M. He said these commodities were selected for their strong export potential, alignment with private sector priorities, robust local production, high market demand, and sustained national government support.
“Under the direct leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the DA is aggressively spearheading initiatives that transition the nation from traditional farming to high-growth industrialized agribusiness hub. It has been one of our missions to foster sustainable partnerships that move beyond primary production into high margin value addition. By investing today, you are not only investing solid financial returns but also anchoring the Philippines’ food security and driving inclusive rural development on a global scale,” Undersecretary Oliveros emphasized.
He added that the DA’s high-impact investment portfolio offers a strategic gateway into Philippine agribusiness, with equity requirements ranging from P7.8-M to P215.2-M, designed to strengthen institutional resilience.
“We invite you to partner with us, navigating our future together in bridging these critical supply gaps, securing high-yield returns while driving profound lasting impact for thousands of farming households across the nation, leaving no one behind,” Oliveros urged.
Meanwhile, MAFAR-BARMM Director General for Fisheries Services Pendatun Patarasa and Director General for Agriculture Services Ismael Guiamel presented BARMM’s agri-fishery priorities, focusing on seaweed and rubber industries with investment needs amounting to P177-M.
“BARMM represents one of the most significant frontiers for agriculture and fisheries investment in the country. The combination of untapped natural resources, favorable climate, and strengthened policy framework makes it a high potential partner for both domestic and international investors,” Director General Patarasa said.
Their HIH Initiative priorities would benefit BARMM from expanded economic activities across the region to reduce reliance on limited sectors and promote region-wide equity.
“Sana hindi ito ang huli, ito iyong simula that you are bringing the BARMM to showcase all the potentials of the areas. These opportunities increase our hope, especially the young generation of BARMM for the meaningful development and especially if we can commit Insha’Allah to our partnership to co-create economically sound impact and food security in Bangsamoro and the Philippines,” Director General Guiamel added.
FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Senior Policy Officer and HIH Coordinator Xiaoruo Jiang underscored that the forum’s discussions send a clear message: investment follows clarity in priorities and policy directions.
ADB Principal Economist and Deputy Country Director for the Philippines Declan Magee affirmed, “The NIF clearly demonstrated that the Philippines’ agri-food transformation agenda is not short of vision. What matters now is execution—translating priorities into bankable projects supported by sound policies, strong institutions, and effective partnerships.”
The HIH NIF aligns with FAO’s global HIH Initiative, serving as a strategic platform to highlight agrifood investment opportunities through a government-led, private sector-supported framework. Over four days, the forum featured investment dialogues, plenary sessions, bilateral meetings, and networking activities that focused on agrifood systems research, policy coherence, and modernization trends to advance stronger investments in Philippine agriculture. ### (Gumamela Celes C. Bejarin-Rosas, DA-AFID)
