Philippines seeks more machinery funding for non-rice crops in 2027
The Agriculture Department wants support for sugarcane, coconut and vegetables, but has not disclosed the additional amount it will seek.
The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture is seeking additional funding in the proposed 2027 national budget to help mechanise production of crops beyond rice, spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said.
Speaking to reporters at the launch of the Asia-Pacific Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (APSAM) 2026, de Mesa said rice currently receives most government support for farm machinery. Much of that funding comes through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which allocates ₱9 billion a year to rice machinery.
The department wants machinery support extended to commodities such as sugarcane, coconut and vegetables. De Mesa said these crops have different production requirements from rice, and that the administration had begun recognising the need for equipment suited to them. He did not disclose how much extra funding the department would request.
The department’s overall proposed budget for 2027 is ₱198.45 billion, an 8 per cent reduction from its ₱215.7 billion allocation for 2026.
