US agri trade mission in PH; focus on food security, industrial innovation
The first ever agricultural trade mission from the US has arrived in the country to bring the latest industry innovations and help in promoting food security.
Nine American companies and one US state university composed the mission that was deployed by the US to Manila and Davao City from September 28 to October 4.
The US Embassy in Manila said Friday, Oct. 6, that they brought a mix of the latest innovations in agriculture technology, such as precision agriculture, digital farming, and genetics.
They also brought developments in postharvest infrastructure, irrigation, farm mechanization, agricultural chemicals, IT-enabled services for agriculture, and animal feeds, among others.
According to US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, agriculture cooperation is central to Philippines-US relationship as "partners in prosperity."
"This Agricultural Technology Trade Mission injects innovation into this relationship, vastly expanding opportunities for Filipino farmers by connecting them to US technology solutions," Carlson said.
"Many of these companies already contribute to Philippine food security and play a critical role in our growing agriculture partnership," she added.
The mission was organized in partnership with the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU).
Its engagements with various regional and local business councils, Philippine companies and government agencies "strengthened the shared commitments of the Philippines and the United States toward promoting food security," the embassy said.
During the visit, the trade mission met with officials from the National Food Authority (NFA), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
In Davao, the mission met with local government leaders, local industry players,
and business associations to discuss the importance of collaboration in achieving food security and strengthening the Philippine agriculture industry, especially in the Bangsamoro region.
Meanwhile, in Manila, the delegates met with Department of Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban to tackle collaborations in improving high-value crops, such as rice and corn, in the Philippines.
"This trade mission focused on agriculture technology in the broadest sense, including improving access to needed resources through increased connectivity for Philippines farmers," US Embassy Senior Commercial Officer Paul Taylor said.
In 2022, the Philippine-US bilateral trade in agricultural products exceeded $4 billion, according to the US embassy.
The Philippines is a top 10 market for US agricultural exports, as the US is also increasing its purchase of Philippine agricultural commodities to help create jobs in rural communities, it added.