The Philippines has a huge potential to be a bigger player in the global horticulture market, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Friday, noting that the government will ramp up efforts to increase production.

Laurel said he sees a promising future for Philippine exports, especially among those with “green thumbs” or have the natural abilities to grow plants.

He said the Philippines can also supply plants landscaping.

“Ang sabi sakin kanina for landscaping, kulang ‘yung supply versus demand so there’s still a good opportunity for that (I was told earlier that for landscaping, there is a lack of supply versus demand so there’s still a good opportunity for that),” he added in an interview on the sidelines of the Philippine Horticulture and Urban Agriculture Summit in Makati City.

In his speech during the summit, Laurel cited the role of horticulture and urban agriculture in food security, economic growth and sustainability.

“Horticulture, with its focus on cultivation of high-value crops and ornamentals, offers a pathway to diversity. Our agricultural landscape is limited as of the moment, and that with this, we will definitely diversify and meet the evolving demands of domestic and international markets,” he said.

Laurel said urban agriculture, on the other hand, represents a modern adaptation of traditional practices.

“It presents a unique opportunity to reimagine the role of urban spaces in our agricultural system and harness the capacity of idle lands into centers of food and land production,” he said.

Bureau of Plant and Industry director Gerald Glenn Panganiban, for his part, said they are looking at ways on how to scale up production of high-value crops especially ornamental plants.

“Globally, it’s a billion-dollar industry. Based on experience, there’s a huge potential because Filipinos love horticulture, loves taking care of plants. We have a lot of high-value crops and ornamentals and with the support of the government, private sector collaboration, we can scale it up because we have the talent to do it and technologies are here,” Panganiban said.

He said the government intends to invest in greenhouses and irrigation technologies.

The summit was attended by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, farmers, the private sector, and participants from the local and international community. (PNA)