The country’s raw sugar production in the upcoming marketing year (MY) is expected to decline by as much as 200,000 metric tons (MT) due to the looming impact of a prolonged dry spell brought by El Niño in the latter part of the year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture...
The government should utilize the P30-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to finance interventions that go beyond short-term financial aid to shield farmers from the effects of El Niño and rising global fuel costs, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said. Escudero made the...
Even before the ongoing global food crisis unleashed by the US-Iran war, the BBM Administration had already placed the highest priority on food security. In fact, for the first 14 months of his presidency, President Marcos Jr. personally occupied the position of Secretary of Agriculture. Following...
The World Bank has given its go-ahead to the $24.5-million Technical Assistance for Sustainable Agricultural Transformation (TASAT) program, which will complement the Philippines’ largest-ever single loan from the Washington-based multilateral lender aimed at diversifying the sector and moving...
The government has formally institutionalized a trade agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) that allows for the continued importation of poultry products from regions certified free of bird flu, a move aimed at stabilizing domestic food supplies while managing biosecurity risks. In a statement on...
Expanding beyond agriculture, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is rolling out solar energy applications in transport and other sectors to reduce reliance on imported fuel. In an interview, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said the agency is pursuing multiple programs that integrate...
The Department of Agriculture (DA) secured a temporary toll fee waiver for trucks transporting agricultural goods, part of the strategic push to lower logistics expenses, stabilize retail food prices, and shield farmers’ earnings from volatile fuel costs. In a statement on Friday, April 17,...
The Philippines has launched a safeguard investigation into rice imports, as authorities move to assess whether a surge in inbound shipments is harming domestic farmers of the country’s primary food staple. In an April 15 notification to the Geneva-based World Trade Organization (WTO), the...
The Philippines is preparing to increase its foreign rice purchases this year as the government moves to stabilize domestic supply and temper price volatility for Filipinos ' main food staple. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the country is ready to scale up shipments from its...
The Philippines is expected to benefit from agricultural programs worth up to $35 million from the United States (US) after being identified as one of the priority countries for this year’s Food for Progress (FFPr) program, marking the first time in seven years. In an April 9 notice, the US...
As the Middle East situation remain volatile, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan emphasized the urgent need to strengthen domestic biofertilizer production as a means to address a looming fertilizer shortage and rising costs. Pangilinan made the call following his visit to the AgriSpecialist,...
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has formed a new standalone office aimed at boosting the competitiveness of local high-value crops such as bananas and ube in foreign markets amid an increasingly complex global value chain. Under Department Order (DO) No. 12 dated April 8, Agriculture Secretary...
