Small farmers in the Philippines are expected to increase income and market access through expanded contract farming, local processing, and cooperative consolidation, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Tuesday.

During an open forum after the 2026 National Irrigation Administration (NIA) – National Confederation of Irrigators Association General Assembly at the NIA headquarters, Marcos said the plan would enable the proper management of crops and facilitate the efficient operation of mechanized equipment.

He said the national government would provide infrastructure development and technical help, adding that executive actions are being taken to strengthen support for irrigation systems while awaiting possible changes to existing laws.

“Hangga’t kaya namin tutulong ang national government sa inyo (As long as we are able, the national government will help you),” Marcos said. “Nagsisimula pa lang tayo, parami nang parami ito. Parami nang parami ito at gagawin natin (We are just beginning; this will grow more and more. It will keep increasing, and we will carry it out).”

Under the proposal, farmers’ cooperatives would receive machinery and rice processing systems to help them boost their income while reducing dependence on middlemen, Marcos said.

The President said the government would also assist in securing guaranteed markets through contract agreements, ensuring that produce is sold at pre-arranged prices.

“Mayroon ng merkado para sa inyong mga produkto. Kaya, pararamihin po natin ‘yung contract farming dahil sa aming naging karanasan ay napakaganda ang naging resulta (There is already a market for your products. So, we will expand contract farming because, based on our experience, the results have been very good),” he said.

NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen said more than 450 cooperatives have been organized, over 100 rice processing systems have already been distributed, and more will be rolled out this year.

Marcos said the integrated approach, which combines timely inputs, stronger irrigation support, and expanded contract farming, would lower production costs, increase farmers’ earnings, and contribute to long-term food security.

“At mas maganda ang ani natin, mas bababa ang production cost natin, ang value added doon sa mula sa palay, hanggang – halimbawa sa bigas – mula sa palay hanggang sa bigas naiiwan lahat ‘yun doon sa farmer, doon sa kooperatiba, doon sa irrigators association (“And our harvests will improve, our production costs will go down, and the value added—from unhusked rice to, for example, rice—everything from unhusked rice to rice will remain with the farmer, with the cooperative, with the irrigators’ association),” he said.

Marcos also emphasized efforts to set up seedling production facilities in different regions to help avoid over-centralization and ensure that suitable crop varieties are delivered based on the season and local conditions. (PNA)