Tarlac agricultural farms decreasing due to land conversion – study

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February 28, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Agricultural lands in Tarlac have decreased due to conversion into solar power farms, a study conducted by the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman showed.

The study, which was released recenly by the UP Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, was authored by Jeark Principe of the UP Department of Geodetic Engineering.

Principe said the study showed how solar power farms expanded in Tarlac and the impact of the land conversion on energy and food security.

Using satellite images, mapping technology and machine learning, researchers discovered that from 2017 to 2022, agricultural lands in the province decreased from 50.19 percent to 47.64 percent.

The study showed that solar power farms had more than tripled in size, expanding by 333.3 percent.

Most of the lands converted into solar power farms were previously used for growing crops, raising concerns about food production in the region.

Citing computer simulations, the study said that by 2027, solar power farms in Tarlac could expand by another 700 hectares, increasing power generation but further reducing agricultural lands and food production.

The study used higher quality land use data and additional factors to improve future predictions.

The author said the findings could help government agencies and industries plan better ways to balance renewable energy development with food security, and ensure that the country’s energy transition won’t affect agricultural sustainability.

Outputs of the study provided a scientific basis for balancing renewable energy expansion with sustainable land use planning.

“By analyzing solar farm expansion in Tarlac and its impact on land use/land cover, this research provides valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners and energy stakeholders” Principe said.

The observed conversion of croplands into solar power farms highlighted potential trade-offs between energy security and food production, emphasizing the need for integrated land use strategies, he added.