Heavy monsoons, severe typhoons, devastating earthquakes, flooding, reduced soil fertility, record high temperatures, water crisis. All of these are some of the reasons why the Philippines agricultural system is in danger.
Drought and reduced precipitation lead to increased pest infestations that damage crops; Rising sea level increases salinity and causes loss of arable land and irrigation water.
The Philippines suffered a total of 75 disasters between 2006 and 2013, costing the agricultural sector $3.8 billion.
As a disaster-prone country, the Philippines has limited opportunities to provide its residents with a safe food system.
Although the country successfully produces and exports rice, wheat and maize, which make up more than 67% of the cultivated land, a decrease in agricultural yields will soon be evident due to the worsening heat and water stresses caused by climate change.
According to 2009 data, agriculture, which employed 33% of the Philippines population, also made up 13% of its GDP. Today, agriculture employs less than 23% of the population.
Religious conflicts in the country's past have displaced families engaged in agriculture, placing more restrictions on income and food sources.
Vertical Farming in the Philippines
With ever-growing concerns of food insecurity, the Philippine government is making an active effort to use urban farming tools to its advantage.
For example, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Philippine government passed a bill to convert vacant lots and other open spaces in urban areas into communal garden sites in the country.
Philippines Senator Francis Pangilinan presented Senate Bill (SB) 257, the 2019 Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming Act, which aims to also address urban environmental management.
As part of their strategy, the Philippine Ministry of Agriculture has identified 18 key strategies to tackle the country's food insecurity. An important part of this is the National Research, Development and Dissemination (RDE) Network for the Urban Agriculture Program in the Philippines. This network includes the development of “appropriate crop production techniques such as vertical farming, hydroponics, bio-intensive horticulture and greenhouse cultivation in urban settings.
The government also promotes “technology and innovation, including digital agriculture.” This innovation includes the use of data analytics and “automated systems to increase farm efficiency and reduce waste by using analytics to facilitate data-driven farming practices for small farmers.”
Here are 5 vertical farms that are driving change in the Philippines:
1. NXTLVL Farms
NXTLVL Farms is the pioneer and leading indoor urban farm in the Philippines. This company, farmed in Metro Manila, grows nutritious leafy greens to its consumers with the guarantee of no bad leaves or waste.
Having succeeded in building hydroponic farms in Fully Enclosed containers, the company has "equipped with hydroponic growing equipment and equipment" in 40 ft containers.
The locally growing company with its own technologies is 100% domestic and Filipino.
2. Urban Roots
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Urban Roots has installed an indoor, hydroponic greenhouse in the heart of Metro Manila that grows microgreens, lettuces, strawberries, and other unique leafy vegetables. This 280-square-foot farm is built inside a refurbished garage and serves food companies, juice companies, cooking schools, and weekly ordering consumers.
Founded just 3 years ago, Urban Roots hopes to build indoor farms throughout the city. Urban Roots founder Martin Escalona says there are only a few farms in the Philippines that sell microgreens commercially, and the demand is increasing day by day, so they decided to grow and sell microgreens.
3. Good Greens and Co.
Delgado Brothers Group, a Filipino agriculture and logistics firm, established its own vertical farm, Good Greens and Co., in 2018 after identifying the need to build more vertical farming facilities in cities to address hunger among poor Filipinos.
Good Greens and Co. Erez Lugassi, Director of Research and Development, noted that in the controlled environment and confined spaces of vertical farming facilities, they provide Filipinos with safe, affordable and accessible food, even in urban areas.
Founded with the mission of bringing “fresh and high-quality products” to urban dwellers, this company builds vertical farms.
By eliminating intermediaries in the farm-to-table process, Good Greens and Co. can consistently deliver fresh and high-quality products at lower prices. It gives its consumers and you a chance to enjoy the daily greenery.
4. Navotas City Vertical Farm
Navotas City Vertical Farm is the tallest aeroponic vertical farm in the country. The four-tower farm operates on an area of 300 square meters in Tanza.
The purpose of the farm is to provide residents with an adequate and sustainable food supply on as little land as possible. Navotas Congressman John Rey Tiangco says they are maximizing land area with vertical farming because Navotas is one of the smallest cities in terms of land.
The farm has four tower greenhouses, the construction of which was funded by BSP-Navotas and Good Greens.
5. Urban Greens
Ralph Becker, CEO and Founder of Urban Greens, says the Philippines' "climate is not ideal for certain vegetable growing due to extreme heat, severe typhoons and other natural disasters." The continuity of supply is easily interrupted by tropical storms, which are bad for both the farmer and those who depend on it.” That's why Urban Greens set up a warehouse farm as a pilot model for more farms.
Ralph adds that the company wants to “inspire visitors by demonstrating the possibilities of these new farming models.” After all, we need young farmers to enter the sector. The younger generation is not very interested in farming due to hard labor and low wages. We want to prove them wrong by showing that farming can be both lucrative and modern.”