Iloilo Bats for Smart Agriculture at Agrinnovate Summit

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo provincial government is intensifying its push for Smart Agriculture as a core strategy to ensure food security and promote rural development.

This was highlighted during the Agrinnovate Summit held on April 10 as part of the 124th Semana sang Iloilo celebration.

Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, speaking on behalf of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., said the province is shifting toward a modern and climate-resilient farming system.

“We are now taking a bold shift toward Smart Agriculture,” Banias said.

“This means embracing digitalization, precision farming, data-driven decision-making, and climate-resilient technologies. We want to build an agricultural ecosystem that is modern, competitive, and sustainable.”

He said the Provincial Agriculture Office has crafted development plans through the Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Systems (PAFES), focusing on key commodities such as rice, corn, coffee, cacao, and livestock.

These efforts aim to increase productivity and strengthen Iloilo’s food security.

The initiative aligns with the MoRProGRes agenda—Movement for a Robust, Progressive, Globally-competitive and Resilient Province of Iloilo.

“We firmly believe that food security, economic empowerment, and rural progress begin in the fields and farms of Iloilo,” Banias said.

He also underscored the importance of private sector involvement in transforming agriculture and attracting young people to farming.

“We are actively encouraging private sector participation through Public-Private Partnerships,” he added.

“We look to PCCI and other industry stakeholders to invest in agribusiness and rural development. Your role is critical in turning ideas into action and action into impact.”

Organized by the Provincial Agriculture Office in collaboration with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Iloilo Chapter, the summit gathered key stakeholders to explore strategies to improve agriculture and prepare for future challenges.