Post by : Anis Farhan

From crisis to opportunity

The Philippines has long battled food insecurity, from unpredictable weather and outdated farming techniques to broken supply chains and rising import dependency. In 2025, however, the crisis is catalyzing a new kind of innovation: agriculture powered by technology. A rising class of AgriTech startups is reimagining how the country grows, distributes, and consumes food—bringing hope to small farmers and consumers alike.

This transformation is not coming from traditional agribusiness giants, but from homegrown entrepreneurs—engineers, coders, and scientists—who are introducing AI-driven crop monitoring, predictive analytics for pest control, drone-enabled irrigation, and even blockchain-backed supply chain tracking. These startups are gaining traction fast, backed by a surge in government support, private capital, and strategic partnerships.

As climate change continues to impact Southeast Asia's food systems, the Philippines' bold pivot toward AgriTech could be a regional model for sustainable agricultural resilience.

The landscape of innovation

In 2025, more than 150 AgriTech startups are operating across the Philippines—up from fewer than 40 just five years ago. These ventures are tackling a wide range of challenges, including soil degradation, post-harvest losses, poor access to financing, and inefficient logistics.

One standout player is Cropital, a digital platform that connects smallholder farmers with micro-investors and agronomists. The company has helped over 10,000 farmers secure short-term working capital while introducing smarter planting schedules and hybrid seed varieties. Using AI to predict harvest timelines and local market prices, it improves both farmer income and food system predictability.

Another rising startup is eHarvest PH, which deploys Internet of Things (IoT) sensors in rice paddies and vegetable plots to monitor moisture levels, pest activity, and nutrient imbalances. Farmers receive real-time alerts via mobile app, helping them make on-the-ground decisions more precisely.

Startups like AgriDroneX are providing aerial mapping and automated pesticide spraying via drones—a game-changer in mountainous or flood-prone areas. Meanwhile, BarangayBite, a logistics tech firm, is linking farmers directly with urban retailers, shortening the supply chain and reducing spoilage rates by up to 40%.

Government policy aligns with the startup push

The Philippine government, long criticized for sluggish agricultural policy, has begun a more proactive stance in 2025. Through the “Farm Forward” initiative, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has launched a ₱5 billion support fund for AgriTech pilot programs, especially in climate-sensitive regions like Mindanao and the Visayas.

Under this initiative, select startups receive grants for proof-of-concept trials, while local farmers are subsidized for adopting new technologies. Additionally, the Startup Venture Fund (SVF)—originally aimed at fintech and e-commerce—has expanded eligibility criteria to include AgriTech and cleantech innovators.

The Philippines’ revised National Broadband Plan, aimed at improving rural connectivity, is also proving essential for scaling AgriTech solutions. Without strong internet access, IoT sensors and remote monitoring would remain limited in rural provinces.

More broadly, the government has launched a National AgriTech Roadmap, mapping out policy priorities such as drone regulation, data privacy in crop analytics, and cross-border digital agriculture partnerships with ASEAN neighbors.

The funding scene heats up

Investment in Philippine AgriTech is gaining attention from both local and foreign venture capital. In 2024 alone, AgriTech startups raised more than $55 million USD in disclosed funding rounds—a record high for the sector.

Notably, GrainFund Capital, a Singapore-based agri-focused VC firm, led a $12 million Series A round for AgriVerse, a startup developing AI-based livestock monitoring tools. Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has introduced a blended finance facility aimed at de-risking investments in early-stage AgriTech solutions.

Private banks like BPI and UnionBank have also begun piloting agri-credit scoring systems based on mobile phone usage and satellite crop imagery—developed in partnership with local startups—to enable easier access to working capital for farmers.

This infusion of funding is helping startups scale beyond the pilot phase, build more robust data infrastructure, and train local communities in tech-enabled farming practices.

Empowering the smallholder farmer

At the core of this AgriTech revolution is the country’s 12 million smallholder farmers, who produce more than 60% of domestic food but often lack access to tools, credit, and markets.

Startups are increasingly focusing on inclusive innovation, ensuring their solutions work with feature phones, are multilingual, and integrate traditional knowledge systems. Initiatives like Kubo Analytics offer SMS-based weather alerts and planting tips in Tagalog, Cebuano, and Ilocano, expanding accessibility to non-tech-savvy users.

Female farmers, who make up 40% of the agricultural labor force, are also being prioritized in startup hiring and training pipelines. For instance, AgriMa, a social enterprise, trains women in hydroponic farming and connects them to local buyers via a WhatsApp-based platform.

By decentralizing access to data, tech, and markets, these startups are empowering farmers to become entrepreneurs and decision-makers, not just laborers on their land.

Risks and the road ahead

Despite strong momentum, several hurdles remain. Many AgriTech startups face scaling bottlenecks, including limited interoperability across regions, low digital literacy, and data privacy concerns. There is also the challenge of balancing innovation with traditional land-use rights and ensuring that startups don’t unintentionally displace local knowledge.

Some critics worry that without stronger policy frameworks, the rapid digitalization of agriculture could lead to data monopolies or vendor lock-ins, where farmers become dependent on proprietary platforms or software.

Additionally, climate change remains an ever-present wildcard. While AgriTech can help mitigate some climate risks, more frequent typhoons, droughts, and erratic rainfall continue to challenge even the most tech-enabled farming models.

The solution, experts say, lies in building climate-smart ecosystems, where startups work hand-in-hand with local governments, cooperatives, and research institutions to make agricultural transformation both scalable and sustainable.

A harvest of innovation

The rise of AgriTech in the Philippines in 2025 is more than a startup trend—it’s a potential turning point in how the nation thinks about food security, rural development, and economic inclusion. With the right blend of policy, capital, and local engagement, the country could leapfrog into a new era of smart, resilient, and equitable farming.

As other Southeast Asian nations watch closely, the Philippines may soon be exporting more than rice or bananas—it could be exporting a model of how technology and tradition can work together to feed the future.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute business, investment, or agricultural advice. Readers are encouraged to consult relevant professionals before making strategic decisions in the AgriTech sector.