Officials of the Philippines and the United States have discussed at a high level new agricultural cooperation that will ensure food security.
Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Undersecretary Alexis Taylor met in Washington on May 5 for the Food Security Dialogue, which highlighted partnerships and programming that support food security in the Philippines.
Photo courtesy of US Department of Agriculture
The exchange of talks yielded two new efforts that will be pursued by the two countries, according to the US government. First: The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service will launch a new Faculty Exchange Program between leading US and Philippine universities to advance collaboration on veterinary sciences. That includes addressing sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues and technical barriers to trade. The second initiative: The US Department of Commerce is co-sponsoring an AgTech trade mission to Manila and Davao City to focus on agrichemicals and fertilizers, digital and precision agriculture, cold chain facilities, aquaculture, and other industry sectors. Taylor said the "potential impacts of food insecurity and climate change elevate the urgency of our continued collaboration." "The United States and the Philippines have a long history of cooperation and partnership in identifying and implementing solutions to help tackle challenges impacting our citizens, our countries, and the world," she said.
Photo courtesy of US Department of Agriculture
The exchange of talks yielded two new efforts that will be pursued by the two countries, according to the US government. First: The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service will launch a new Faculty Exchange Program between leading US and Philippine universities to advance collaboration on veterinary sciences. That includes addressing sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues and technical barriers to trade. The second initiative: The US Department of Commerce is co-sponsoring an AgTech trade mission to Manila and Davao City to focus on agrichemicals and fertilizers, digital and precision agriculture, cold chain facilities, aquaculture, and other industry sectors. Taylor said the "potential impacts of food insecurity and climate change elevate the urgency of our continued collaboration." "The United States and the Philippines have a long history of cooperation and partnership in identifying and implementing solutions to help tackle challenges impacting our citizens, our countries, and the world," she said.