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| Amb. Dana Kursh delivers her opening remarks at the Israel-led forum on October 22 |
As the Philippines faces intensifying climate vulnerabilities—ranging from erratic rainfall and extreme heat to recurring droughts like El Niño—transforming the nation's agricultural landscape has never been more urgent. Building a climate-resilient food system requires moving beyond reactive measures to embrace proactive, holistic solutions that safeguard every stage of the agricultural value chain, from farm production to market delivery.
At the heart of this transformation are advanced technology, strong governance, and robust public-private partnerships (PPPs). Technological innovations—such as precision irrigation, digital crop monitoring, data-driven agronomy, and modern post-harvest facilities—are essential for optimizing resource use, mitigating weather risks, and drastically reducing food loss. However, technology alone is not enough; its success depends heavily on good governance. Strategic policymaking, efficient regulatory frameworks, and targeted infrastructure investments are vital to ensure these innovations reach marginalized farming communities and translate into stable food supplies and higher farmer incomes.
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| Panel discussions and exchange of ideas followed after presentations of resource speakers |
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Crucially, addressing these complex challenges requires synergy through public-private partnerships, uniting government agencies, international allies, and industry leaders. For many years, Israeli technology and agricultural expertise have consistently helped the Philippines, providing proven solutions in water management, smart irrigation, and protected agriculture. Building on this enduring partnership, collaborative initiatives like the forum, “Beyond El Niño: Building Climate-Resilient Food Systems”—organized by the Stratbase Institute and the Embassy of Israel in Manila on October 22, 2026, at Solaire Resort Quezon City—serve as vital catalysts.
Walk the talk
To complete the forum is a trip the following to the nearby Metro Pacific Fresh Farms (MPFF)—the country's largest high-tech commercial, climate-resilient farming.
Located in San Rafael, Bulacan, this 3.5-hectare operational phase (expanding toward a planned 7-hectare footprint within a broader 22-hectare agricultural complex) is a strategic joint venture between Metro Pacific Agro Ventures (MPAV)—led by business tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan—and Israel-based LR Group.
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| Amb. Kursh led the visit to the MPFF facility on October 23 |
Backed by an investment ranging from P800 million to P1 billion, MPFF leverages cutting-edge Controlled-Environment Agriculture (CEA), Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) hydroponics, drip irrigation, and advanced climate control.
This state-of-the-art Israeli agricultural technology is a game-changer for the tropical nation, especially during droughts and extreme heat driven by El Niño. By operating within protected greenhouse structures, MPFF achieves what traditional farming cannot: it uses up to 90% less water and land, requires significantly fewer fertilizers and chemical pesticides, and drastically shortens crop cycles to produce over 1,200 metric tons of high-quality vegetables annually.
Scenes at the MPFF which uses the technology from Israel
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| ... and the freshy-harvested veggies are being packed for take home by farm visitors and customers |
The model farm had its groundbreaking ceremony on February 20, 2023, and officially opened on March 25, 2025. Today, marketed under the "MVP" (More Veggies Please) brand, the facility supplies tens of thousands of heads of chemical-free lettuce each month, alongside cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers, to major hypermarkets, hotels, restaurants, and institutional buyers. This comprehensive value chain—spanning seedling production, cultivation, sorting, packaging, and marketing—creates a steady, year-round domestic food supply insulated from seasonal typhoons and dry spells.
By bringing together policymakers, agribusinesses, and international experts, these collaborative platforms pave the way for commercially viable, climate-responsive strategies that secure a prosperous, food-secure future for the Philippines.
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