DA earmarks ₱300M to climate-resilient farming for high-value veggies

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday said it has set aside around P300 million for 2026 to expand its climate-resilient farming for high-value vegetables such as tomatoes, chili, and bell peppers.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the funds will primarily support basic greenhouses, drip irrigation, and water-impounding systems to ensure appropriate crop management and reduce farmers’ exposure to increasingly volatile weather. 

The Agriculture chief said the initiative aims to curb recurring price spikes triggered by weather-related supply disruptions as high-value vegetables suffer repeated price swings almost every year as extreme heat, heavy rains, and flooding disrupt production.

“This is a perennial problem—sometimes chili peppers are very expensive, sometimes there is no supply at all; the same goes for bell peppers and tomatoes,” said Tiu Laurel.

“What we want is continuous production, year-round whether it’s dry or rainy,” added the DA chief.

Under its “White Revolution” initiative, the Agriculture Department will be deploying rain shelters and simpler greenhouse structures to provide partial protection from the weather elements such as heavy rainfall, reduce flood risks and pest damage, and enable more efficient water use through drip irrigation and misting systems, making them easier to replicate across farming communities.

“The objective is to keep producing even during El Niño or La Niña,” said Tiu Laurel, adding “with irrigation during dry months and cover during heavy rains, farmers are able to adapt with the changing weather conditions and are effectively able to plan their production based on market demand.”

The rain shelters, greenhouses and irrigation systems will be located near major consumption centers such as Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao to shorten delivery time and cut post-harvest losses. 

For the Metro Manila market, the DA is eyeing nearby provinces including Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Laguna, Rizal, and Quezon.

To limit market risks during the initial rollout, the program will begin in selected pilot municipalities, with Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) committing to buy the harvest at pre-agreed prices. 

“If we ask a community to plant chili or bell pepper, whatever they produce will be bought at a fair price,” said Tiu Laurel, noting that the government will handle distribution to public markets. —AOL, GMA Integrated News