The Philippine Horticulture and Urban Agriculture Summit 2025 continued yesterday, October 1, at the Manila Prince Hotel, bringing together nearly 500 participants for a day of rich learning and exchange with experts from the field.

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Session 3 on Ornamental Horticulture highlighted how conservation, breeding, and commercialization intersect to shape the future of ornamentals. The session showcased efforts in collecting and preserving endemic plants such as mussaendas, hoyas, and medinillas, alongside the development of resilient and aesthetically valuable new varieties. It also framed germplasm as the foundation of sustainable breeding, stressing that success lies not only in novelty but in creating resilient, adaptable plants that meet both ecological and market needs. Another key focus was on low-cost tissue culture methods that can democratize plant propagation, lowering barriers for conservation and commercial production in resource-limited settings. The session also traced the global journey of Lisianthus breeding, from pioneering innovations to recent pollen-free and rosette-free varieties that address grower challenges and climate pressures.

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On the other hand, Session 4 is all about the Market which showcased how Philippine horticulture is finding its niche in both local and global markets. Vanilla production, for instance, was highlighted as a high-value crop with strong domestic demand but limited supply, revealing opportunities for farmer groups and cooperatives to step in despite challenges like labor-intensive pollination and postharvest gaps. Meanwhile, ornamental hybrids demonstrated the power of innovation, with uniquely bred varieties like the BG Regale proving that Philippine creations can become global symbols of quality. Complementing these were insights into the ornamental supply chain, which connects breeders, growers, traders, and retailers in an intricate but interdependent system that thrives on innovation and consumer trends. Collectively, the session emphasized that the country’s strength lies not only in its natural conditions but also in its ability to innovate, collaborate, and build sustainable identities in specialty agriculture.

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Lastly, Session 1 on Urban Agriculture tackled the future of agriculture through indoor farming. Here there is a suggestion of creating a paradigm shift for the Philippines. The session highlighted both opportunities and hurdles: while indoor farming offers a new vision for building the country’s agricultural future, it faces significant challenges and barriers such as high initial investment costs, limited local expertise and technology adaptation, high energy requirements, the lack of a regulatory framework and standards, and the pressing need for a skilled workforce and stronger research support.

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Day 2 of the Summit showed that the future of Philippine agriculture is already taking shape, one that values our native plants, embraces innovation, and isn’t afraid to tackle tough challenges. Whether through conserving ornamentals, creating market-ready hybrids, or reimagining farming indoors, the message was clear: with collaboration and creativity, the Philippines can build a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future.

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