Philippines, AIT forge five-year partnership to boost agricultural innovation
BANGKOK, Thailand (March 11, 2026) — The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) have formalized a five-year partnership aimed at advancing agricultural innovation, strengthening human resource development, and improving food security in the country.
The agreement was sealed through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at AIT’s campus in Bangkok. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. welcomed the collaboration and commended the institute, led by Prof. Pai-Chi Li, for its commitment to fostering joint solutions to agricultural challenges.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to addressing some of the most pressing issues in agriculture today, including climate variability, limited resources, and the growing threats of pests and diseases, while promoting sustainability and food security,” Tiu Laurel said.
Under the agreement, the DA and AIT will collaborate on several initiatives, including joint doctoral and master’s degree programs, professional development opportunities, consultancy services, collaborative research projects, and academic publications. The partnership also opens opportunities for additional initiatives that will help transform research findings into practical solutions for farmers, students, and the broader agricultural sector.
Tiu Laurel highlighted the wider impact of the partnership, saying it will help strengthen scientific collaboration, nurture future agricultural leaders, and generate knowledge that supports sustainable agricultural development.
“Progress in agriculture is progress for our people. Through this collaboration, we affirm our belief in the power of partnerships and collective expertise to deliver meaningful and lasting impact,” he said.
Officials said the partnership is expected to build a strong pipeline of skilled professionals, encourage knowledge exchange between the Philippines and Thailand, and support the development of technologies and practices that improve agricultural productivity and resilience.
The collaboration will also focus on addressing regional and global challenges such as climate-smart agriculture and sustainable resource management.
By aligning academic research with government policy priorities, the initiative aims to produce innovative and scalable solutions that will benefit not only the Philippine agricultural sector but also the wider Southeast Asian region.
The five-year partnership highlights the growing importance of collaboration between academic institutions and government agencies in driving agricultural research, innovation, and workforce development.
Both the DA and AIT said they will closely monitor and evaluate the outcomes of joint initiatives to ensure the partnership delivers tangible benefits for farmers, researchers, and rural communities.
Through this collaboration, the two institutions aim to contribute to a more resilient, innovative, and food-secure agricultural future.
NPO News Team | DA Press Office - PR
