Integrating crop and animal production could unlock agricultural innovation and improve food security in the Philippines, agripreneur Dr. Manuel L. Logroño said during the 39th anniversary of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Nov. 6.Speaking at the 26th SRO Seminar Series, Logroño, president of Maize Life and Farming Sciences, underscored the benefits of linking crops and livestock in a sustainable value chain to address challenges in productivity and profitability.“We need to intensify the value chain, not only for crops but for livestock as well,” he said, pointing to Thailand’s use of corn by-products to feed livestock, which ensures a steady supply of meat and dairy. “A similar approach here would greatly benefit our agriculture sector,” he added, calling on policymakers and industry stakeholders to invest in interconnected farming solutions to meet the nation’s growing demand for food while ensuring sustainability.The call comes as the Philippine agriculture sector faces increasing pressure from climate change, rising food prices, and dwindling farm incomes. Logroño said mechanization and the protection of key staples—rice, corn, and coconut—along with livestock such as poultry and swine, are critical to achieving food security.Dr. Madonna C. Casimero, senior scientist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), echoed Logroño’s views, highlighting the competitiveness farmers can gain through integrated systems. She praised PhilRice’s Palayamanan Plus program, which promotes diversified farming and market linkages via the Rice Business Innovations System.“We need to move beyond production and into creating systems that connect farmers to markets,” Casimero said.Dr. Julius Caesar Sicat, regional director of the Department of Science and Technology in Central Luzon, stressed that resilience against climate change is vital. “Supporting farmers with strategies and innovations is the backbone of agriculture’s adaptability,” Sicat said.