‘Boosting barako coffee output remains a challenge’
Despite the high demand for the Liberica coffee or kapeng barako, increasing its output remains a challenge, according to development professionals from the Asian Institute of Management (AIM).
PhilRice asks farmers to be wary of rice diseases during rainy season
The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) urged farmers to be wary of rice diseases, such as bacterial leaf blight (BLB) and rice tungro, which are prevalent during the rainy season.
Sugar output of 2.235 MMT exceeds SRA’s forecast for current crop year
SUGAR production for the current crop year has already exceeded initial estimates despite the onslaught of El Niño, according to the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).
DA seeks P62-B for rice self-sufficiency bid
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday it has proposed a budget of P62 billion for the implementation of its rice self-sufficiency program in the next four cropping seasons.
Agri losses due to natural disasters hit P163B
NATURAL disasters, such as typhoons, damaged P163.6 billion worth of crops, livestock and farm infrastructure in 2011 to 2015, according to data from the Department of Agriculture (DA).
VCO exports down 43.5% in March
EXPORT receipts from virgin coconut oil reached $9 million in March, making it the top nontraditional coconut product of the Philippines during the period, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
PHL eyes other sources of imported rice in Asia
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Friday it is exploring the possibility of sourcing imported rice from other Asian countries, such as Myanmar and Japan.
Piñol wants BSWM to conduct nationwide soil testing this year
THE new chief of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM) will be given a budget so it could again conduct soil testing this year.
Piñol wants rice self-sufficiency achieved in 2 years
The new chief of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has directed all remaining and future regional directors of the agency to strive for rice self-sufficiency in all regions of the country in the next two years.
‘Infrastructure got big chunk of P431-billion budget for agriculture’
Farm infrastructure, including irrigation facilities, got the lion’s share of the agriculture sector’s total budget of P431 billion from 2011 to 2016, according to the former chief of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
DA to conduct inventory of small-scale irrigation projects nationwide
The Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) said on Thursday it is set to develop a database on all small-scale irrigation projects (SSIPs) established all over the country.
NFA rice inventory good for 32 days
The National Food Authority (NFA) on Tuesday assured the public the country has enough rice stocks to last throughout the lean season, or from July to September.
Abaca output up 11% in January-April
DESPITE the onslaught of El Niño, the country’s abaca production expanded by 11 percent to 21,017.2 metric tons (MT) in January to April, according to the latest data from the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFida).
PHL okays Italian processed meat exports
Italian producers can now export processed pork meat to the Philippines, after the Department of Agriculture (DA) has deemed them compliant with Manila’s food- safety rules.
Calata Corp. eyeing to set up 5,000 modern weather stations in PHL
Maximizing the use of real-time, accurate and actionable weather information has long been recognized as a “crucial” component in battling the effects of climate change, particularly in the agricultural sector.
Piñol banking on agriculture to cut poverty
THE next chief of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said over the weekend he will immediately roll out measures to hike farm production and improve food productivity to reduce poverty in rural areas.
Several Singaporean food and beverage firms seek franchise partners in PHL
Seven food and beverage companies from Singapore on Thursday expressed interest in expanding to the Philippines, saying they are currently on the lookout for local franchise partners.
Hog raisers in PHL seen earning more as devastating El Niño ends
The end of the latest El Niño cycle bodes well for hog raisers, as their income could improve in the next three months, according to the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines Inc. (ProPork).
Government to help banana exporters meet China’s stringent food-safety rules
The government will soon roll out interventions to help exporters of Cavendish bananas meet food-safety standards set by foreign buyers such as China, according to the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).
PHL coco exports down 60.3% in March
Export receipts from coconut products in March declined by 60.3 percent to $87.65 million, from $220.77 million recorded in the same period last year, according to data from the Philippine Statistics
Authority (PSA).
Piñol bares plan to boost farm output
The next chief of the Department of Agriculture (DA) enumerated various measures which he plans to implement in his first 100 days in office to increase farm output and farmers’ income.
Next administration seen creating Department of Fisheries
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Monday expressed optimism that it will be converted into a separate department under the administration of President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte.
PHL declared free of deadly horse sickness
The Philippines is officially declared African horse sickness (AHS)-free by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), according to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
Piñol to NIA execs: Free irrigation is nonnegotiable
THE next chief of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday said the incoming administration’s commitment to provide free irrigation to farmers is “non-negotiable,” and any official who does not share this commitment should resign from his or her post.
Expert bats for multipurpose dams
The country’s irrigation systems should be “retrofitted” to serve multiple purposes, making it more climate-resilient and investor friendly, according to an agricultural think tank.
Piñol to expand government milk-feeding program
The next chief of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday that he will expand the government’s milk-feeding program to reduce malnutrition among Filipino children.
PHL bans poultry meat from Italian region
The Philippine government has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products, such as poultry meat, from Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
Abaca farmers need more government support–Alcala
The incoming Duterte administration should provide more government support to abaca farmers to expand production and exports, according to outgoing Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala.
DA technicians undergo training on use of new farm technology
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said its technicians and engineers from recently received training on a land-leveling technology, which is seen to save water and improve rice yield.
P10-billion corn venture seeks pioneer incentives
Palawan Supercorn Development Corp. (PSDC) is seeking pioneer incentives from the Board of Investments for its P10-billion corn project in Palawan, which will make use of innovative farming techniques.
PhilFida needs P9B to expand abaca farms
THE Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFida) said on Friday it will need a budget of P9 billion to bankroll a plan to rehabilitate and expand abaca plantations in the next five years.
DA built 10 agri-trading centers–Alcala
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said one of its accomplishments under the outgoing administration is the completion of 10 agricultural trading centers in different parts of the country aimed to directly link farmers to their markets.
FAO to pilot e-agriculture strategy in PHL
The United Nations’s (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Thursday said it is set to roll out a program which aims to maximize the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in agriculture in the Philippines.
‘Rice self-sufficiency is still the way to go’
The incoming chief of the Department of Agriculture (DA) will not abandon the Aquino administration’s bid to become self-sufficient in rice and is even considering the expansion of palay-production areas to wipe out imports.
Piñol to expand PHL coconut-growing areas
The incoming chief of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said he is keen on expanding coconut-production areas in the country by 600,000 hectares over the next six years.
Piñol eyes palm-oil regulatory body
LOCAL palm-oil producers threw their support behind the plan of incoming Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol to put up a regulatory body that will oversee the development of their industry.
PHL to import 16,500 MT of white onions
The government has allowed the importation of as much as 16,500 metric tons (MT) of white onions to plug the shortfall in local supply, according to the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).
DA vows to help farmers expand exports to Asean
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said it remains committed to help farmers produce high-quality products for export to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) countries.
Diverse marine life found in Benham Rise
Marine scientists from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), University of the Philippines (UP), and Oceana Philippines said they found a wide array of corals, fish and other marine life during a recent expedition to Benham Rise.
Biopesticides could fight rice pests, diseases–study
A recent study from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) found that biopesticides or organic pesticides are effective in managing rice pests and diseases.
PRDP infra projects yield 4,483 jobs, DA says
The Philippine Rural Development Project’s (PRDP) infrastructure development component has generated 4,483 employment opportunities in South Luzon since 2014, according to data from the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Alcala to next administration: Aim for rice self-sufficiency
The next administration should continue to implement measures to achieve self-sufficiency in rice and other staples, the outgoing chief of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Thursday.
El Niño damages 235,000 MT of palay
The prolonged dry spell caused by El Niño destroyed 235,000 metric tons (MT) of paddy rice, according to the latest data from the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Coconut-oil exports dipped slightly in April
The country’s coconut oil (CNO) exports declined by 0.5 percent to 54,500 metric tons (MT) in April, from 54,776 MT recorded a year ago, according to preliminary data from the United Coconut Associations of the Philippines (Ucap).
Avoid shellfish from Irong-Irong Bay in Western Samar–BFAR
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) warned against eating shellfish from Irong-Irong Bay in Western Samar, which is now positive for the red-tide toxin.
NMIS vows to step up drive vs dog traders
The National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) vowed to crackdown on sellers of dog meat in its bid to put an end to illegal dog-meat trade in the country.
Farmers urged to plant flood-tolerant rice
Experts at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) on Monday asked farmers to prepare for the rainy season by using appropriate varieties and technologies in rice farming.
IRRI water-saving technology eyed for use in PHL irrigation systems
The Office of the Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization (Opafsam) is eyeing the use of a water-saving technology developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for the country’s irrigation systems.
US retains sugar imports quota for PHL
The United States has again granted the Philippines a sugar imports quota of 142,160 metric tons raw value (MTRV), equivalent to 135,508 metric tons (MT), for fiscal year (FY) 2017.
After El Niño, DA prepares for La Niña
FOLLOWING projections of La Niña coming in at the last quarter of the year, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is already starting the initial preparations to help farmers deal with the effects of the weather phenomenon.
Banana growers seek government help vs Panama disease
THE banana industry is seeking the government’s help to manage and control the dreaded Panama disease or fusarium wilt in local banana plantations.
Sinag hails law declaring agricultural smuggling ‘economic sabotage’
AN industry group on Thursday lauded the signing of the new law-declaring agricultural smuggling as economic sabotage.
BFAR gets tech to scan marine life in Benham Rise
A NON-GOVERNMENTAL organization (NGO) focused on ocean conservation said on Tuesday it provided advanced technologies and tools to help the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) explore the marine life existing in Benham Rise.
‘Agriculture revival best way to cut poverty’
Reviving the country’s agricultural sector should be the main strategy of President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte in reducing poverty in the rural areas.
CocoaPhil, German government to plant cocoa in 2,000 hectares in Panay
ABOUT 1,060 hectares of forest and 890 hectares of agroforestry areas in Panay Island in the Visayas will soon be planted with cacao trees under a collaborative project between the German government development agency and the Cocoa Foundation of the Philippines (CocoaPhil).
Chicken, meat stock remains stable nationwide
THE country’s total inventory of dressed chicken in cold storage as of April 25 increased by 22.14 percent to 25,268.29 metric tons (MT), from the 20,687.98 MT recorded in the same period last year, according to the latest report from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS).
PAASE urges immediate resumption of R&D on Bt ‘talong’
THE Philippine American Academy of Science and Engineering (PAASE) called for the prompt resumption of the research and development of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) eggplant under the new guidelines that regulate the research, use and propagation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in
the country.
NFA monopoly seen ending rice smuggling
Allowing the National Food Authority (NFA) to monopolize rice importation is a feasible way to end smuggling, according to the agency, the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) and agricultural think tank Meganomics Specialists International Inc.
DA forms GIUs to help identify beneficiaries of crop insurance
By Mary Grace C. Padin
Price of rice stable despite ill effects of El Niño
THE price of rice in the domestic market remains stable despite the drop in the country’s paddy rice production brought about by the ill impacts of El Niño, the National Food Authority (NFA) said.
PhilRice exploring telco support to give rice information to farmers
THE Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) said it is looking into tapping the support of telecommunication companies (telcos) to improve the delivery of rice information to farmers offered through the PhilRice Text Center (PTC).
SLAC eyeing to export rice grown in Myanmar
Hybrid rice seeds producer SL Agritech Corp. (SLAC) said on Tuesday it is targeting to export rice grown in Myanmar to European countries, China and the United States.
Bfar, Coast Guard apprehend suspected Chinese poachers
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have
apprehended two Chinese fishing vessels between the waters of Babuyan Island and Batanes on Monday.
PHL needs climate-smart villages–Legarda
Sen. Loren B. Legarda called on the International Rice Research Institute (Irri) to forge partnerships with the government to build and replicate climate-smart villages in the Philippines.
Betadine manufacturer now ready to build S$100-M hub in Singapore
TUAS, Singapore—Global pharmaceutical company Mundipharma is set to construct a S$100-million research and development (R&D) manufacturing and distribution hub in Singapore to cater to the demand for medical brand Betadine in emerging markets and in Asia.
Bayer, Monsanto seek new permits for GM corn
Monsanto Philippines Inc. and Bayer CropScience are applying for permits for the propagation and direct use of genetically modified (GM) corn and corn seeds, according to an official of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).
PCAARRD eyes other uses for carrageenan plant-growth promoter
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) said developers of the carrageenan plant growth promoter (PGP) are looking into expanding its use to other crops aside from rice.
Government wants students to learn climate-smart agriculture
The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) said it recently trained 47 high-school teachers from various schools across the country to teach climate-smart agriculture and rice production to students in the next academic school year.
El Niño causes spike in local corn prices
The average farm-gate price of local corn has gone up in recent weeks, as El Niño continues to ravage major corn-producing areas in the country.
Bt cotton rollout may get green light this year
The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFida) on Tuesday expressed confidence that the commercialization of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) will be given the go signal in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Government to identify suitable areas for coffee farming
The Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) said it is currently conducting a study to identify strategic areas in the country that are suitable for coffee and cacao production.
Government crafting plan to conserve coffee trees
Three government agencies are currently crafting a plan to conserve fruit-bearing coffee trees and boost the country’s coffee production, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Sultan Kudarat LGU uses WPF data in cloud-seeding operations
The local government unit (LGU) of Lebak in Sultan Kudarat said it used data gathered through the automated weather stations (AWS) deployed by the WeatherPhilippines Foundation Inc. (WPF) to conduct cloud-seeding operations.
BCCP: 12 UK firms keen on doing business with PHL counterparts
THE British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) on Friday said it is assisting new companies from the United Kingdom (UK) that are keen to do business in the Philippines.
Spanish firm gets government nod to export day-old chicks
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it has given its go signal to Spanish firm Iberica de Tecnologia Avicola, S.A.U (Ibertec) to export day-old chicks and hatching eggs to the Philippines.
Nueva Ecija farmers want next administration to continue ‘effective’ agriculture projects
Farmers from Nueva Ecija have urged the next administration to continue the provision of credit assistance and the construction of rural infrastructure such as farm-to-market (FMR) roads.
DA asked to push for biotech law
Corn farmers belonging to the Philippine Maize Federation Inc. (PhilMaize) urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to push for a law that would protect the right of Filipino farmers to plant and distribute genetically modified (GM) crops.
End of ‘endo’ to worsen unemployment–Palscon
The move to outlaw job “contractualization” may increase the ranks of the unemployed, and put the Philippines at a big disadvantage with its Asean peers, Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors Inc. (Palscon) President Rhoda Caliwara warned on Wednesday.
Government allocates P5.08 billion for El Niño mitigation
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday it has set aside a total of P5.08 billion from 2015 up to the second half of 2016 to help farmers cope with the drought caused by El Niño.
DA, DND ink MOA for cloud-seeding operations
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said it has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of National Defense (DND) for the use of the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) aircraft in cloud-seeding operations.
Disease could wipe out cavendish bananas–PBGEA
The infestation of Panama disease or fusarium wilt in banana plantations, if not immediately controlled, could wipe out local cavendish bananas, banana growers and exporters said on Tuesday.
Abaca export earnings up 3.1% in 2015
Revenues from abaca exports rose by 3.1 percent to $114.79 million in 2015, from $111.33 million recorded a year ago, according to the latest data from the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFida).
DTI lauds PHL’s latest listing in IPR protection, compliance
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Tuesday said it welcomes the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Special 301 Report for 2016, which listed the Philippines as one of the countries with strong intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and compliance.
AGFP guarantees P5.21-billion agriculture loans
The Agricultural Guarantee Fund Pool (AGFP) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has provided guarantee coverage for nearly P5.21 billion in agricultural loans last year, according to the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC).
El Niño, pests damage P8.02 billion worth of crops
EL Niño and pest infestation destroyed a total of 565,752 metric tons (MT) valued at P8.02 billion in the first four months of the year, according to data from the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Doctors warn IT-BPO workers vs erratic sleep, unhealthy lifestyle
WORLD acclaimed health experts are warning call-center agents or those who work in the business-process outsourcing (BPO) industry, against erratic sleeping patterns and unhealthy lifestyle.
NFA chief quits, cites health reasons
THE head of the National Food Authority (NFA) said on Wednesday he is stepping down from office due to health and personal reasons.
PHL to rely on imports as cacao self-sufficiency remains elusive
LOCAL chocolate makers are expected to continue importing cocoa, as cacao farmers may not be able to produce as much as 100,000 metric tons (MT) of cacao beans by 2020, an industry leader said on Tuesday.
CNO exports in March down 69.5%–Ucap
THE country’s coconut oil (CNO) exports in March declined by 69.5 percent to 40,699 metric tons (MT), from 133,437 MT recorded a year ago, according to preliminary data from the United Coconut Associations of the Philippines (Ucap).
Don’t abandon rice self-sufficiency bid–Alcala
The next administration should not give up the goal of making the country self-sufficient in rice due to the looming threat of a global food crisis, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Thursday.
NFA to sell brown rice at P37/kg in Bohol
The National Food Authority (NFA) said on Thursday its authorized retailers will soon sell brown rice at P37 per kilogram, or less than half its prevailing commercial price, to encourage consumers to eat the staple.
PHL to fill additional US sugar quota, SRA says
The Philippines remains keen on shipping out 12,194 metric tons (MT) of sugar to the US, on top of its regular quota of 135,508 MT, under a preferential trade scheme.
Washington wants to expand agricultural trade ties with PHL
Washington is “continuously” looking for ways to expand agricultural trade between the United States and the Philippines, US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg said on Wednesday.
‘Private sector should operate corn e-trading platform’
The National Food Authority (NFA) on Monday said it has urged the private sector to operate the country’s electronic-trading platform for corn to make it efficient.
DA allocates P16 million to boost cacao production in Zamboanga Peninsula
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Tuesday it has allocated P16 million to increase cacao production in Zamboanga Peninsula in its bid to make the region the “cacao capital” of Mindanao.