FFCCCII Hosts “From Vision to Harvest” Forum on Advancing Sustainable and Data-Driven Agriculture

The Trade and Industry Committee and Agriculture Committee of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. successfully hosted the forum “From Vision to Harvest: Turning Food Into A Story of Success” on April 28, 2026, at Ascott Bonifacio Global City.

The forum brought together leaders from government and the agribusiness sector to tackle key issues in agriculture, fisheries, and food systems, with discussions highlighting the connection between local production and global supply chains.

In his keynote address, Secretary of Department of Agriculture Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. emphasized the urgency of transforming the sector.

“Agriculture sits as a curious intersection. It is at once traditional and urgent, local, geopolitical. Standing still is not an option. Our response, therefore, must be deliberate and a bit impatient,” he said.

He added that the Department is focused on building a future-ready sector: “We are pushing for a sector that is resilient by design, anchored on sustainability, powered by innovation, and widened by inclusion. We are also leaning into digital agriculture not for its novelty but for its discipline. Data when used well sharpens decisions.”

Industry leaders shared practical insights drawn from their own experience across crops, exports, and fisheries.

Paul Cuyegkeng, Chairman of Sumifru, noted the complexity of building a successful agribusiness. “There are many parts to the success in agribusiness. Mine is just one. I hope some of the principles that I followed or we followed will be useful to you,” he said.

Kenneth Cheung, President and CEO of Eng Seng Food Products, acknowledged the challenges faced by entrepreneurs today. “I hear a lot of people saying it’s very hard to do it now, but it’s still possible if you really work very hard,” he shared.

Reinforcing the importance of quality and global competitiveness, John Tan, also of Eng Seng Food Products, emphasized the value of export standards. “Export is export quality. Magandang quality, magandang presyo, magandang income yan,” he said, highlighting how maintaining high standards can lead to better pricing and stronger income opportunities.

Meanwhile, Imelda Madarang, CEO of Fisher Farms Inc., encouraged stakeholders to rethink agriculture’s role in society. “I invite you to look at agriculture, not just as a traditional trade, but as a pillar of national food security,” she said.

Throughout the forum, speakers underscored the need for data-driven agriculture, improved irrigation and water management, and stronger collaboration between sectors. These, they noted, are essential to building a resilient and sustainable food system.

The event concluded with a shared commitment to turn insights into concrete action, strengthening the entire value chain from harvest to market and ensuring long-term growth for Philippine agriculture.