On Sept. 24, the Commission unveiled the Securing & Expanding Capital for Farms & Agri-business Related Modernization Schemes (SEC FARMS) during a conference titled “SEC FARMS: Sowing the Seeds of Growth through the Capital Market.”
SEC FARMS provides agri-business firms streamlined access to the capital market, offering them a chance to raise as much as P500 million per project.
Easing access, boosting investor confidence
Under SEC Memorandum Circular No. 8, Series of 2023, the Commission commits to reviewing securities registration statements from agri-businesses within 28 days of filing—faster than traditional routes.
This efficiency, regulators say, is meant to reduce barriers to investment and create more appetite among both institutional and retail investors.
“We know that agriculture is the backbone of our economy—it feeds our people and sustains millions of families. Yet farmers and agri-businesses have often been left with little water to grow—the water here being capital or financing,” SEC Chair Francis Lim said during the conference.
Investor-led modernization
Lim emphasized that SEC FARMS is designed not just for fundraising but for modernization, noting that investor-driven capital can help bankroll farm clustering, precision agriculture, cold storage facilities, logistics hubs, and other upgrades critical to making Philippine agriculture more competitive.
“SEC FARMS is our way of irrigating that field, making sure resources reach those who need them most so you can modernize, expand, and thrive,” Lim said.
Aligning with food security agenda
The program also supports the Marcos administration’s “Masaganang Agrikultura, Maunlad na Ekonomiya” initiative, which focuses on modernization and industrialization of farming.
Industry stakeholders, including the Philippine Stock Exchange and Investment & Capital Corporation of the Philippines, joined the SEC in outlining how the capital market can be tapped for IPOs and underwriting to unlock new financing channels for agriculture.
Lim closed the event with a challenge: “Think of SEC FARMS as a new set of farming tools—lighter, sharper, and more efficient. With the right tools, your hard work will yield bigger harvests, not just for your families but for the whole nation.” —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
