HSBC Philippines is funding a new initiative to help small farmers and fisherfolk cope with climate challenges while growing sustainable food production. The project is led by the development group Bayan Family of Foundations and agri-tech startup Mayani.
In the Philippines, smallholders produce more than 70% of the country’s food but remain the most exposed to climate hazards. The United Nations notes that women smallholders are hit harder, as they make up most of the rural poor and often lack access to training, resources, and credit.
“This important partnership will aim to support local farmers and fishermen to adapt climate-resilient practices and strengthen their businesses, while also striving to contribute towards the improvement of food security in the Philippines,” said Sandeep Uppal, president and CEO of HSBC Philippines.
The project promotes cooperatives that practice regenerative farming, use indigenous knowledge, adopt digital tools, and improve governance. Investments will include smart greenhouses and precision farming systems, as well as a cooperative development manual to guide other groups.
“If agricultural cooperatives — numbering in thousands in the Philippines — are effectively mobilized to serve as agents of climate adaptation, social, economic, and even environmental benefits could potentially be delivered to their millions of members,” said Prof. Carlo Sagun, president and CEO of Bayan Family of Foundations.
The roadmap focuses on vulnerable areas in Luzon and Visayas this year. By 2026, it aims to reach smallholders in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, linking the effort to food security, peacebuilding, and economic recovery.
“The sheer gravity and frequency of these climate hazards would eventually require their own nomenclature. As they evolve, we see them as known constants in agriculture, and it’s high time we tackle them head-on,” said Ochie San Juan, co-founder and chief farmer of Mayani.
HSBC said it will continue to support projects that promote decarbonization, resilience, and inclusion. Mayani is also working with Co-Axis of Temasek Trust to bring in more funding for climate action.
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