The Department of Agriculture (DA) has enlisted the help of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center to identify and package agricultural projects that are attractive to private investors, officials announced on Monday. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said the partnership aims to accelerate infrastructure and modernization efforts in the sector through private capital. The move was discussed during a meeting between DA officials and PPP Center Executive Director Rizza Blanco-Latorre, as reported by BusinessWorld.
Undersecretary for Agro-Marine Industrial Systems Arrey A. Perez also attended the meeting, which explored how the PPP Center's expertise in structuring public-private deals can be applied to agriculture. The DA is seeking to develop bankable project proposals that address gaps in post-harvest facilities, cold chains, irrigation, and other critical infrastructure. Blanco-Latorre noted that the PPP Center will provide technical assistance and help streamline processes to reduce barriers for private firms.
Agriculture has historically attracted limited private investment compared to other sectors, partly due to perceived risks and regulatory hurdles. The DA's collaboration with the PPP Center signals a push to change that, using structured partnerships to finance large-scale projects. If successful, the initiative could unlock significant funding for modernizing Philippine agriculture and improving food security.