Business NEWS

Odette, the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2021, has dampened the Philippine government’s overall growth outlook for agriculture sector, which already lost over P3-billion worth due to the typhoon.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has extended P100-million grant, approximately $2 million, to bankroll the Philippine Competitive and Inclusive Agriculture Development Program (CIADP2) to be implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Agriculture Secretary William Dar has directed the full implementation of the country’s long-overdue National Sardines Management Plan (NSMP), citing declining sardines catch over the years.

Two poultry farms from the Philippines have been approved by the South Korean government to export chicken to the East Asian country.

The government has distributed P1-billion worth of agriculture interventions in Zamboanga Peninsula.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has pushed for additional P12-billion budget next year as the agency raised alarm over the looming global food crisis.

Philippine fruit importation has grown substantially and is seen to further rise with more Filipinos incorporating healthy food into their diet amid the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government will distribute direct cash assistance of P5,000 to as many as 59,125 farmers in Nueva Ecija to be funded from the excess rice import tariff collection under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

A group of farmers welcomed the call of Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) to increase the local production of fertilizers amid the rising cost of this farm input.

Poultry raisers threaten to cut down production

The Philippine government was told to temporarily suspend the importation of chicken and other poultry products amid several outbreaks of severe bird flu in Asia and Europe.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is now studying the possibility of imposing another suggested retail price (SRP) on pork amid rising retail prices, and is hoping to come up with a decision within the week.

The output of the country’s agriculture sector has declined further during the third quarter of the year after almost all sub-sectors, mainly livestock and crops, suffered from lower output from July to September.

The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) urged the Senate to defer the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement pending the conduct of consultations with farmers.

The Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (PAMPI) said that instead of expanding the market areas for imported pork under the minimum access volume (MAV) plus scheme, the Department of Agriculture (DA) should just allow the sale of frozen meat in wet markets.

Philippine Association of Feed Millers Inc. (PAFMI) sees importation as a band aid solution or the “the best route to take” at the moment as Severe Tropical Storm Maring destroyed a significant amount of corn output.

Opposition presidential aspirants are urged to undo the Philippines’ reliance on imported food, which was allegedly worsened by the pro-importation policy of the Duterte administration.

Local farmers will continue to suffer from low palay prices due to typhoons and continuous entry of cheaper, imported rice. 

 “Palay prices are expected to remain low in the coming weeks with the cumulative effects of typhoons and importation even during the harvest season,