PPSA and Department of Agriculture strengthen its decade-long partnership

The Philippines Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (PPSA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) marked their decade-long partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) formalizing the DA as PPSA’s Public Sector Co-Chair. 

Held at the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), the signing marks a significant milestone in PPSA and the DA’s decade-long partnership, contributing to the transformation of Philippine agriculture through inclusive, multi-stakeholder collaboration.

“Through this partnership, we recognize that no single actor can achieve this alone. Collaboration between government, agribusinesses, farmer organizations, academia, and civil society is essential,” said PPSA Country Director Angel Bautista. “This is the spirit of PPSA—a platform where all of us can collaborate, innovate, and grow together.”

PPSA was catalyzed in 2015, following the discussions between Grow Asia and then-DA Secretary Proceso Alcala, which emphasized the need for a multi-stakeholder platform where the public and private sectors can work together to uplift the lives of smallholder farmers.Over the past decade, this partnership has organized national dialogues, business forums and stakeholder consultations; co-developed action plans like the Philippine Action Plan for Family Farming, and championed climate-smart practices along with the empowerment of women and youth in farming communities.

DA-ATI Director Engineer Remelyn Recoter, the signatory on behalf of the DA, highlighted the importance of this partnership with PPSA. “These partnerships remind us of the value of working alongside each other. Each of us come from different backgrounds, however we are connected by the same goal. We envision farming as more than just a livelihood of last resort. We want it to be a source of pride, a stable income, and a real opportunity, especially for the younger generation.”

The MOA signing was witnessed by Grow Asia, PPSA network members, and key bureaus of the DA. It was followed by a sharing and networking session, where PPSA members and DA representatives shared potential areas for collaboration and alignment on future priorities, further strengthening the collaborative ecosystem that has scaled up PPSA’s impact in the last decade.

“We listen to our farmers, to our partners, and to what is really happening on the ground. And that’s what makes this partnership meaningful,” said Recoter. “It’s a reaffirmation of trust. Trust in each other’s knowledge, and more importantly, trust in the potential of our farmers when given the right tools and opportunities.”

Currently, PPSA focuses on programs related to agri-food innovation, women’s economic empowerment, responsible investing, and climate resilience. PPSA looks forward to continuing its work with the DA,network members and partners in scaling collaborative solutions in these areas. 

“As we move forward, we do so with hope, determination, and a renewed sense of partnership. Together, let us continue to build a future wherein Filipino smallholder farmers are at the heart of everything we do,” said Bautista.