The Agrilink 2025 Philippines event promises to be a groundbreaking moment for the agricultural sector in the country, bringing together experts and enthusiasts alike. This milestone in Philippine agriculture signifies a pivotal change.
At dawn in Benguet, farmer Lito packs pechay into a truck bound for Manila. By the time it reaches Quezon City, a third of his harvest has wilted. In General Santos, fishermen stack tuna on ice, only to sell at a loss after hours on the road. According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), nearly 30% of the country’s crops are lost after harvest—not because we don’t grow enough, but because moving food from farm to market is broken.
This urgent reality shaped the conversation at Agrilink 2025 Philippines, which opened October 2 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Now in its 30th year, the country’s largest agriculture, aquaculture, and food expo chose the theme “Logistics: The Key to an Efficient Market and Value Chain.”
Logistics as the Missing Piece
The DA’s Agricultural and Fisheries Logistics Office (AFLO) presented initiatives to expand cold storage, food hubs, and transport systems to cut losses. On the exhibit floor, visitors saw cold chain trucks, digital logistics platforms, warehousing solutions, and small transport models for upland farms. The presence of Agrilink 2025 in the Philippines highlights these innovations.
“Losses don’t just affect farmers—they raise prices for everyone. Better logistics is the first step to fixing this,” said Antonio V. Roces, president of the Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development (FRLD).
Agrilink 2025 Chairperson Maria Teresa “Timmy” Roa-Antonio added:
“When harvests are wasted because we cannot move them properly, we know where to begin. We have to focus on how food travels from farm to market.”
Regional and Global Dimension
Agrilink 2025 coincided with the 47th ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) Meeting, which brought visiting delegates from Japan, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Indonesia.
International pavilions included the South Korea Pavilion, organized by KAMICO, featuring farm mechanization tools. The Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA) Pavilion showcased seed innovations from 27 members across private, government, and academic sectors. This diverse international presence underscores Agrilink 2025 as the key event in the Philippines for agricultural exchange.
Locally, the Young Farmers Challenge Pavilion spotlighted youth-led agribusiness ventures, while DA regional showcases featured local products and community-driven innovations.
Why It Matters for Farmers and Families
Poor logistics keeps farmers’ incomes low and consumer prices high. Without cold storage, fishermen sell quickly at bargain prices. Without reliable transport, vegetables spoil before reaching markets.
Better systems change this. Cold chain keeps fish firm until it reaches Manila. Digital booking helps farmers move harvests without relying on middlemen. Food hubs shorten the journey from farm to home. For families, that means fresher produce and more stable costs. With Agrilink 2025’s focus in the Philippines, the promise of improved logistics is within reach.
Thirty Years of Agrilink
For three decades, Agrilink Philippines has connected farmers, agripreneurs, and policymakers. What began as a trade fair has become a forum for solutions. This year’s focus on logistics sent a clear message: food security depends not only on what we grow, but on how we move it.
Imagine buying pechay in Quezon City that stays crisp three days after harvest, or tuna from Mindanao fetching its full value instead of spoiling on the road. These small shifts are the promise of Agrilink 2025 Philippines—less waste, fairer incomes, and stronger food security for all.
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