Issues in Agriculture
The Persisting Militarization in Lupang Ramos
By Shane Labrador — Published August 14, 2025
“Red-tagging” has been an ongoing phenominal issue in the Philippines but it intensified during the presidential administration of Duterte. Red-tagging is a form of threat and harassment to human rights defenders, political activists, lawyers, and other targeted groups affiliated with the progressive left—and farmers are no exception. Often times they are labeled as “terrorist” for being critical and for voicing out the injustices they face.
Decades of legal battle on Lupang Ramos led to farmers organizing to stand their ground to fight for their right to ownership of the land they till and voice out genuine land reform and actual government support and aid. On September 26, 2024, about 100 combined military and police personel—accompanied by government personnel agencies such as Local Government Units (LGUs) and—reportedly attempted to enter Lupang Ramos through a so-called “inspection” and construction of a checkpoint along the entrance of the community in attempt to harass, intimidate, and red-tag the local peasant organization Kasama-LR.
Currently, the residents in the community prevented the entry of state forces through construction of a barricade. The dangers of red-tagging causes multiple risks that puts the farmer’s lives in danger. According to an interview with Ka Ronnie Manalo—the general secretary of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas(KMP)—during Duterte administration, there were 336 victims of killings on the sector of farmers with 55 missing. There were also about 22 massacres that happened alongside during Duterte administration alone.
REFERENCE:
ICHRP Secretariat. (2024, September 28). https://ichrp.net/militarization-intensifies-in-lupang-ramos-in-dasmarinas-cavite/
Filipino Agriculture Fades As Youth Go Digital
By Mary Grace Ledesma — Published August 14, 2025
Filipino farmers are now increasingly worried about the future of agriculture as less young people show interest in farming. Sa Lilim ng Ani recently conducted a survey that highlights the contrast between how farmers live and how the youth perceive them.
Several young respondents, aged 15-24 years old, believe farming is the sole source of income for farmers. In reality, most farmers take on other jobs to support their families. Even with the challenges they face, they remain committed to agriculture out of concern for the future of Philippine food security.
In addition to this, survey showed that the youth often view farmers as poor, dirty, and always in the fields. It was revealed that media portrayals influence these stated misconceptions of the youth. Despite limited knowledge about farming, many young people still acknowledge the effort and hard work involved.
On the other hand, some farmers, particularly those who own the land they farm, do eventually achieve financial success. Others balance their farm duties with preparing materials for awareness campaigns, while others leave farming behind to work abroad for better income.
To address this growing gap, farmers are now teaching their children about agriculture and encouraging them to continue the tradition. They hope to inspire the next generation, even as more young people shift their focus to technology and online opportunities. The cultural disconnect highlights the urgent need for initiatives that bridge generations and immediately reframe agriculture as a viable and respected career path in modern society.
REFERENCE:
Laqui, I. (2025, June 29). Hunger among Pinoys rises to 20% in April 2025 — SWS survey. Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/06/29/2454224/hunger-among-pinoys-rises-20-april-2025-sws-survey
Food for Everyone or Selected Ones?
By Mary Grace Ledesma — Published August 14, 2025
Filipino culture is rooted in family, tradition, and a strong sense of community. They are also known to express their culture through food that even foreigners long for the famous adobo, sinigang, and lumpia. These dishes, along with the other cuisines of the different regions in the Philippines, may be different but all of them have two components that are necessary to complete a Filipino meal: rice and vegetables. These ingredients are present in every household because local farmers work passionately to provide the nation’s staples.
Before dawn, farmers rise and work under harsh conditions brought by the weather to farm and bring their crops to the table of millions of people. Ironically, they themselves often face hunger as they work for the whole day.
In April 2025, a survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed that 20% of Filipinos experienced hunger at least once in the past three months and among them are the local farmers. Despite their hard work, the amount they produce remains insufficient due to the lack of access to necessities, tools, and modern machinery, hindering them from working efficiently, productively, and profitably.
With this, they continue to struggle with limited yields, unpredictable market prices, and oversupply that lead to waste and lost income. Government action is essential to strengthen food security, support the country’s farmers, and encourage farming on a national scale.
How Climate Change Affects Agriculture
By Jonalie Springael— Published August 14, 2025
The Philippines, situated along the Pacific Typhoon Belt, has always been susceptible to typhoons. However, the escalating effects of climate change are intensifying this vulnerability. The increasing frequency and ferocity of tropical cyclones, coupled with soaring temperatures and erratic weather patterns, are greatly impacting the country’s agricultural sector and the livelihoods of its farmers.
Farmers in communities like Lupang Ramos are on the front lines of this crisis. They face not only the risk of losing their entire harvest to powerful typhoons but also endure the physical toll of working under intense heat. With heat indexes frequently climbing to 40 degrees Celsius or higher, their health is put at significant risk. This extreme weather not only damages crops but also creates a more difficult and dangerous working environment.
Climate change is not the only environmental factor threatening Philippine agriculture. Farmers also contend with persistent challenges such as field pests, which thrive in changing conditions and can devastate crops. These combined pressures—from climate-related disasters to biological threats—create a complex and volatile environment for food production.
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