Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan has warned that Filipinos will continue to suffer from high food prices, prevalent hunger, and malnutrition if there is no adequate support for the agriculture sector. The senator emphasized that increased public investment was essential to ensuring food security,...
The country’s dairy production is expected to grow nine percent this year, driven by a growing dairy herd and the implementation of the government’s dairy development programs, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In a Nov. 25 report by the USDA’s Foreign...
The Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to release the country’s new policy on the minimum access volume (MAV) on imported pork before the end of the year, revising the nearly three-decade-old rule allegedly exploited by a handful of traders. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said his...
The combined damage to the Philippines’ agriculture sector from Typhoons “Tino” and “Uwan” has surpassed ₱5 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported Monday, Nov. 24. In its latest bulletin, the DA pegged total losses from the two storms at ₱5.16 billion, impacting more...
Agricultural losses caused by the onslaught of Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-wong) have breached ₱3 billion, with high-value crops sustaining the most damage, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). In a report published on Friday evening, Nov. 14, the DA stated that the...
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will build cheaper farm-to-market roads (FMR) once it formally assumes responsibility of the program starting next year, with the agency introducing new methods to help cut costs. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the government will save at least 20...
The agriculture sector could be in deep trouble if the government moves to open up the market to imports from the United States (US) as part of concessions to reduce the 19 percent tariff slapped on Philippine goods, according to the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI). PCAFI...
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will investigate the possible involvement of its own officials in several non-existent farm-to-market road (FMR) projects discovered in Mindanao. Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said there is a strong possibility that some officials are involved in...
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian questioned on Monday, Oct. 27, the 104 percent increase of farm-to-market road (FMR) appropriations from P16 billion to P32 billion under the General Appropriations Bill (GAB). "Kasi nakita po namin sa GAB na lumaki ang pondo ng FMR from P16 billion to P32 billion...
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is preparing to slap show-cause orders against retailers who are selling imported rice beyond the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) of ₱43 per kilo. Despite the ongoing suspension of rice importation, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the...
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has declared Batanes as an organic farming practitioner province, recognizing its organic agriculture sector and local policies that promote sustainable farming. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel signed Administrative Order No. 8 to formalize the...
The Department of Agriculture (DA) would build 300 more rice mills in the next three years, as the government seeks to reverse post-harvest losses by improving the rice sector’s drying capacity. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said his agency has earmarked ₱3.3 billion until 2028 to...
