MANILA — The Philippines and Japan have expanded their bilateral agricultural cooperation to include the fisheries sector, a move aimed at advancing technology transfer, improving food security, and supporting the modernization of industries that provide livelihoods to millions.

The expanded Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) was signed during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Japan, enhancing a 2023 agreement between the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) and Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).

The updated agreement comes as the Philippines seeks to improve productivity in the agriculture and fisheries sectors amid climate-related challenges, increasing production expenses, and rising food demand.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and Japanese Agriculture Minister Norikazu Suzuki signed the accord.

Tiu Laurel said the inclusion of fisheries underscores the sector’s role in ensuring food security and generating employment.

“Food security is not just about producing more crops. It is about building resilient food systems from farms to fishing grounds, embracing technology, and ensuring our farmers and fisherfolk can remain productive despite growing challenges,” Tiu Laurel said.

Under the agreement, the two countries will collaborate in areas such as smart farming, digital transformation, mechanization, biotechnology, climate resilience, fisheries development, value-chain improvement, and pest and disease management.

The fisheries sector’s inclusion marks a significant expansion of the partnership, as the industry remains a key contributor to the country’s food supply and employment while facing challenges from climate change, resource depletion, and increasing operational costs.

Tokyo-based Agriculture Attaché Aleli Maghirang said technological innovation would play a major role in the cooperation.

“The new MOC also includes the promotion of innovation, including smart technology and digital transformation, for improving productivity in the Philippine agriculture and food systems,” she said.

The agreement also creates the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries (JCAF), replacing the previous agriculture-focused mechanism and providing a wider platform for policy dialogue, technical collaboration, and project development.

The first Philippines-Japan JCAF meeting is scheduled for July 2 to 3, 2026, in Tokyo, with MAFF serving as host.

According to the DA, the partnership is expected to provide the Philippines with greater access to Japanese expertise in precision agriculture, fisheries management, post-harvest technologies, and food systems modernization.

The expanded cooperation coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan and signals deeper collaboration in addressing food production challenges amid climate uncertainty.