Manila: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has introduced a new circular permitting agriculture-focused businesses to raise up to PHP500 million per project through capital markets, significantly enhancing their access to essential financing.

According to Philippines News Agency, the SEC announced these guidelines during a conference on September 24, 2025. The guidelines, known as Securing and Expanding Capital for Farms and Agri-business Related Modernization Schemes (SEC FARMS), aim to align with the government's 'Masaganang Agrikultura, Maunlad na Ekonomiya (Abundant Agriculture, Prosperous Economy)' program, which seeks to modernize the agricultural sector.

The SEC stated in a press release that the policy will simplify the registration process for securities of agri-businesses, thereby encouraging investor participation and fostering growth within the industry. Under SEC FARMS, the commission is mandated to review the registration statements of agri-business firms within 28 days from the filing date, in accordance with SEC guidelines.

SEC Chairperson Francis Lim highlighted the importance of agriculture as the backbone of the economy, noting that the sector often struggles with limited financing. SEC FARMS, he explained, aims to address this issue by ensuring that resources are directed towards those in need, enabling modernization, expansion, and success.

Lim likened SEC FARMS to a new set of farming tools that are lighter, sharper, and more efficient, suggesting that with the right resources, farmers' efforts will result in greater yields, benefiting not only their families but the entire nation.