In a bold push to showcase Filipino innovation in agriculture, the Department of Agriculture–Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS) proudly led the Philippine delegation to InnoVEX 2025, Asia’s leading startup platform, held from May 20 to 23 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center.

Exposing young Filipino farmers to the global stage dovetails with vision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of a modernized Philippine agriculture, one that adopts innovation and new technologies that increase output and yield to ensure food security.

This year’s event spotlighted cutting-edge developments in smart agriculture, food technology, robotics, e-commerce, and more—and the Philippines was right at the heart of it.

Flying the flag for the country were three standout winners of the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC)—a flagship program by the Department of Agriculture that empowers youth-led agribusiness ventures. At the bustling Philippine Pavilion, they wowed international audiences with their homegrown, high-tech solutions built to transform the agri sector.

“These agri-tech startups are just a glimpse of the nearly 4,000 youth-led enterprises we’ve supported through YFC,” said DA Assistant Secretary Atty. Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra. “From capital grants to mentoring and global promotion, we’re investing in young innovators who are driving real change in Philippine agriculture.”

The Filipino startups making waves at InnoVEX 2025 included:

– Engr. Arvin John Tejeros, founder of iCarus Agritech, who introduced an AI-powered egg incubator that fine-tunes temperature and humidity for better hatch rates;

– Engr. Chester Turingan, founder of Chaptu Farm, who showcased a Smart Brooder Technology that simulates ideal environments for healthier chicks;

– John Carlo Landayan, founder of Innovsmarter Agri Services, who presented a digital platform combining precision farming, sustainability tools, and smart analytics to boost farm productivity.

Their participation drew high praise from leaders in the Philippine economic and trade community.

“As we modernize our agriculture sector, engaging with Taiwan’s vibrant tech ecosystem is a game-changer,” said Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Chairperson Cheloy E. Velicaria Garafil. “There’s tremendous potential to co-create impactful, future-ready solutions across sectors like food tech, robotics, logistics, and more.”

Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) Taipei Trade Representative Anthony B. Rivera echoed this sentiment. “This is a strategic move to nurture innovation-led trade and investment. By showcasing Filipino agripreneurs on a global platform, we aim to attract high-impact investments and generate quality jobs back home,” he said.

Before InnoVEX officially opened, the YFC winners also pitched their startups at the Philippines–Taiwan Networking Event on May 19—connecting with potential investors and collaborators eager to tap into Southeast Asia’s growing agri-tech scene.

With strong support from DA-AMAS, the future is bright for these young innovators. Their global debut signals a broader movement: a generation of Filipino farmers and entrepreneurs embracing technology, sustainability, and international collaboration to secure a smarter, more resilient food system.

From local farms to global forums, the future of Philippine agriculture is in good hands—and it’s digitally powered.

Department of Agriculture - John Romar Pedrigal, DA-AMAS

21 May 2025

Filipino agri-tech startups shine at InnoVEX 2025 in Taiwan