KOICA, DA Boost Smart Agriculture In Central Philippines

KALIBO, AKLAN — Agriculture in Central Philippines particularly in  Panay Island and Western Visayas is set to benefit from a USD 8-million grant from South Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The grant supports the Value Chain Enhancement of High-Value Crops through Smart Agriculture (VEHCSA) Project, which aims to improve food security and strengthen climate-resilient farming through modern greenhouse technology.
Four smart agriculture facilities are being established in Aklan, Iloilo, Antique and Negros Occidental.

The Aklan facility, located at the Aklan Agri-Aqua Demonstration Farm and Training Center in Barangay Nalook, Kalibo, was inaugurated on November 7, 2026. It covers 5,420 square meters and harvested its first 930 kilograms of produce during the first week of November.

The initial harvest included 454 kilograms of lettuce, 414 kilograms of cherry tomatoes and 62 kilograms of bell peppers.
By 2027, the Aklan greenhouse is projected to produce 22,000 kilograms of lettuce, 14,300 kilograms of cherry tomatoes, 11,700 kilograms of bell peppers and 4,100 kilograms of melons, alongside continuous cultivation of culinary herbs.

The project also aims to supply fresh produce directly to Boracay’s tourism industry, including hotels, resorts, restaurants and mini-marts. Among its target buyers are Shangri-La and Henann.
A market partnership with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Boracay was established through a memorandum of understanding signed in April 2026.

Promotional activities in Boracay are scheduled for November 17 to 19, while the project is also providing training to more than 800 farmers, including members of the Lezo Multipurpose Cooperative and Riverland Farmers Organization.

The Iloilo facility in Tigbauan is scheduled for inauguration on November 20, 2026, while greenhouse hubs are also being developed in Antique and Negros Occidental.

The DA Secretary said the initiative aims to modernize agriculture, improve farmers’ livelihoods and strengthen food security while providing a reliable supply of locally grown produce to Western Visayas’ tourism sector.