PAA National Congress Hosts the Largest Gathering for Filipino Agriculturists in 2025 Yet

The 𝟏𝟐𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬, 𝐈𝐧𝐜. (𝐏𝐀𝐀) 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬’ 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 convened the largest congregation of registered agriculturists in the country in a five-day event last 28 July to 01 August 2025 at the SMX Convention Center, Bacolod City.

Over 2000 regular and affiliate members, including agriculturists working in the national and government agencies, industries and private companies, State Colleges and Universities (SUCs), and interested individuals, attended the Congress which was themed “Transformative Agriculture Towards a Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems.” This year’s theme represents a call for agriculture professionals to reimagine the landscape of the agriculture sector in striving for innovations in the field.

PAA Chairperson Dr. Roberto F. Rañola, Jr. welcomed the participants to the PH Agriculturists’ Summit, emphasizing the organization’s mission to transform the agricultural sector sustainably. He reflected on the Association's growth since its inception, highlighting the significant turnout at the first national congress in 2012, to the annual growing attendance, and the Association’s role in the enactment of the PH Agriculturists Act.

One of the highlights of the convention was the keynote address delivered by Academician Dr. Eufemio T. Rasco, Jr. of the National Academy of Science and Technology, who was properly introduced by PAA president Dr. Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr.

The speaker discussed the transformative potential of technology in agriculture, emphasizing the need for a reboot in mindset rather than mere modernization to achieve significant change. Dr. Rasco highlighted the role of Artificial Intelligence or Ai in replacing traditional jobs in agriculture, such as data collection and extension services, while noting that manual/physical jobs will remain indispensable for its personal touch to influence human emotions.

During the closing ceremonies, Dr. Analiza Henedina M. Ramirez, vice president and convention chairperson, expressed her profound gratitude to the events organizers, the provincial government of Negros Occidental headed by Hon. Governor Eugenio “Bong” Lacson, and the convention attendees for contributing to the overall success of the convention. With the 2000-strong agriculturists in attendance, she called for the declaration of PAA’s commitment to advancing a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food system that meets the current and future needs of all Filipinos.

With its wide participation, robust leadership and initiatives, and futures-thinking agenda, the 2025 PAA National Congress proves to be one of the most significant annual convergence for Filipino agriculturists.