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Indonesia catches illegal Philippine fishing vessel
JAKARTA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has caught an illegal fishing vessel from the Philippines and its four crew members with fake documents in the Sulawesi Sea, the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry has reported. Acting Director General of Marine Resources and Fisheries Supervision, Pung Nugroho Saksono, said Thursday that the vessel was caught on Monday, when it was transporting around 2 tons of tuna to.....»»
Agri chief, MVP Group discuss investments in food security
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. met with business tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., to discuss plans for significant investments in agriculture to support the government's food security goals......»»
Neda, Jica ink pact for Metro Davao s dev’t master plan
The National Economic Development Authority (Neda) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) have signed an agreement to develop a master plan for the development of Metropolitan Davao. The signing ceremony, attended by Neda Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and Jica Chief Representative Sakamoto Takema, marks the beginning of the Comprehensive and Sustainable Urban Development Master Plan for Metropolitan Davao. Vice President Sara Duterte expressed her gratitude to the government of Japan and Jica for their assistance in the development projects for Metropolitan Davao. The master plan aims to achieve sustainable and balanced urban planning and development in the region, covering various aspects such as agriculture, commerce, climate resilience, technology, education, transportation, and healthcare. The plan will be formulated by the TCP with the assistance of urban development experts from Japan. The master plan will serve as a roadmap for long-term work and will support the mobilization of resources and the delivery of key services in the region. The plan will ensure sustainable urban development in areas such as land use planning, agri-ecotourism, coastal resource management, and joint service delivery. Jica has been a partner in the development and peace process in Mindanao and will expand its cooperation with the new master plan project for Metropolitan.....»»
Half cup of rice? | New agri chief told to address high cost of rice production
“Many Filipinos cannot afford to eat rice for every meal. No more wasted rice on the tables of farmers and workers?" The post Half cup of rice? | New agri chief told to address high cost of rice production appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
New agri chief told to boost local productions, scrap import liberalization
“If Marcos Jr., as the president of the country and a former head of this department, didn’t resolve the agriculture and food crisis, now, he appointed an oligarch." The post New agri chief told to boost local productions, scrap import liberalization appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Marcos names fishing tycoon Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. as agri chief
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. just announced the appointment of a new agriculture secretary......»»
Agri officials dismissed by Ombudsman for graft, misconduct
The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal from service of Department of Agriculture assistant secretary Kristine Evangelista in relation to a dubious deal with an onion supplier that led to a spike in the commodity last year. The Ombudsman found Evangelista and John Gabriel Benedict Trinidad III, vice president for operations of Food Terminal Incorporated, guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and dismissed for grave misconduct and negligence of duty, respectively. Moreover, the Ombudsman found probable cause to indict Evangelista, Trinidad and several others for breaching the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), and for "falsification by private individuals and use of falsified documents (Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code)." The criminal and administrative charges against DA senior undersecretary Domingo Panganiban, chief accountant officer-in-charge Lolita Jamela, administrative officer V Eunice Biblanias and budget division head Juanita Lualhati, however, were dropped due to lack of probable cause and insufficiency of evidence. Likewise, the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of both criminal and administrative charges against FTI president Robert Tan to stand as a witness of the prosecution. Back in August, the Ombudsman placed Evangelista, Trinidad and several others, except for Panganiban and Tan, under preventive suspension in connection with the onion supply shortage in the Philippine markets, price manipulation and the dubious procurement of onions by FTI from Bonena Multi-Purpose Cooperative. The Ombudsman’s records showed that the DA entered into a memorandum of agreement with FTI for the Food Mobilization or Kadiwa Food Hub project. FTI, on the other hand, entered into a letter of agreement with Bonena for the delivery of 8,845 bags (approximately 28 kilograms/bag) of onions as part of the said Kadiwa Food Hub. They were accused of violating RA 3019 and the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184) due to the lack of parameters in the selection of a cooperative that will supply and deliver the onions; questionable advance payment of 50 percent of the contract price; non-compliance of the MoA; partial implementation of the contract; and doubtful deliveries by Bonena. During the last quarter of 2022, the country experienced an agricultural shortage, primarily in onions, the prices of which soared to as high as P500 to P700 per kilo. Citing the evidence, Ombudsman Samuel Martires said “it seems like the prices of onions were manipulated.” “It seems like there was no bidding. We obtained CCTV footage from FTI showing what looks like a single person bringing three envelopes to the senior vice president,” he said. The post Agri officials dismissed by Ombudsman for graft, misconduct appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
No new chief yet — Agri exec
Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban on Tuesday said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not discuss the appointment of a new Agriculture Secretary during their latest sectoral meeting. In a Malacañang Press Briefing, Panganiban said that he could not confirm the reports on appointing a new Agriculture Secretary and that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is doing an “excellent job” leading the department. Panganiban’s statement comes amid reports that President Marcos is considering appointing fishing tycoon Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. as the new Agriculture Secretary. Laurel is the chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “With (Marcos) at the helm, everything is integrated, and all government efforts are coordinated. We can no longer say to the Department of Agriculture, ‘This is your job, not ours.’ We are all collaborating now, and we are even talking to you in the media to work together because, once again, food security is not the responsibility of one agency alone but of all of us,” Panganiban said. “I think that’s what sets him apart from his predecessors,” he added. Panganiban also said that he could not comment on whether the rice price cap affected the Pulse Asia Survey results, which showed President Marcos’s approval rating declined in September. “I cannot comment on that one,” he said. “What I can say is that our President is truly committed to serving everyone. I believe he is the President for all, not just for the farmers but also for the consumers.” Panganiban also praised Marcos for his engagement with the public, saying that the President is the first one to really meet with the people and participate in rice distribution. “So, I think people can sense our President and his plans and programs. Hopefully, we can reciprocate that. Even for the media, I hope you can help us promote the good news, not just our problems but also what we are doing for our fellow countrymen,” he added. The post No new chief yet — Agri exec appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM to focus on farm-to-market road dev’t, agri sector modernization
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said his administration would focus on enhancing crucial farm-to-market roads and modernizing the agricultural sector to prioritize the nation's farmers and food security. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Marcos underscored the significance of ensuring food security for all Filipinos instead of lowering tariffs on agricultural imports. "Our farmers are the backbone of our nation, and their well-being is our utmost concern,” Marcos said. President Marcos Jr. emphasized that improving the country’s infrastructure would help reduce post-harvest losses, boost agricultural productivity, and, most importantly, improve the livelihoods of Filipino farmers. Furthermore, the administration is committed to strengthening the National Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization and Industrialization Plan (NAFMIP). President Marcos Jr. elaborated on the plan's objectives, saying, "We must embrace innovation and modernize our agricultural and fisheries sectors.” “This means investing in research and development, technology adoption, and sustainable practices that can propel us into a more secure food future,” he added. The NAFMIP aims to harness technology and sustainable farming practices to increase agricultural productivity, enhance the quality of farm products, and promote value addition in the fisheries sector. “While we understand the need for affordable food, we believe that our primary responsibility is to empower our farmers. By investing in their capacity and improving their access to markets, we can strike a balance that benefits both our farmers and consumers,” Marcos said. Meanwhile, Marcos on Tuesday thumbed down the decision not to lower tariffs on agricultural imports. Marcos, who is also the Department of Agriculture secretary, rejected the proposal after a meeting in Malacañang where the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) gave an update on the proposal at the meeting. “It was not the right time to lower the tariff rates because world rice prices project that it will go down. So, this is not the right time to lower tariffs,” the Chief Executive said. “Tariffs are generally lowered when the price goes up,” he added. NEDA and the Department of Budget and Management had previously proposed to temporarily stop charging taxes on imported rice to lower the cost of rice in the country. The post PBBM to focus on farm-to-market road dev’t, agri sector modernization appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Online agri trading hub connects farmers to more businesses
The United States government, through the US Agency for International Development and in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal, launched on 31 August a first-of-its-kind e-commerce platform to expand the market reach of Luzon-based farmer-traders and strengthen the Philippines’ agricultural supply chain. The NVAT Fresh Online Platform (NVATFresh.com) directly managed and operated by the Luzon-based agricultural hub, is a business-to-business online platform where farmers can list their produce for large enterprises such as supermarkets, food processing companies and restaurant chains. Through the platform, farmers can leverage competitive pricing, secure consistent income, reduce food wastage and ensure the delivery of fresh, affordable produce straight to businesses and consumers. Through its five-year P1 billion ($18 million) Strengthening Private Enterprises for the Digital Economy project, USAID provided technical assistance, onboarding support and training for NVAT and its stakeholders who use the platform. In its initial phase, NVAT Fresh Online is projected to facilitate the sale of 5,000 tons of produce, accounting for three percent of NVAT’s total volume. Future estimates anticipate sales surging to roughly 20,000 tons, generating P500 million ($8.8 million) by its fifth operational year. In her remarks, USAID Philippines deputy mission director Rebekah Eubanks emphasized the crucial role that farmers play in achieving inclusive and resilient economic growth. “As your partner in prosperity, the United States remains committed to supporting the Philippines in advancing digitalization to help improve the lives of farmers and agricultural traders, and more importantly, enhance the country’s food security,” Eubanks said. “Thank you, USAID, for heeding our call. To say that NVAT is a trailblazer is an understatement. The birth of NVAT Fresh is a significant accomplishment,” said DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual in remarks delivered by DTI Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Ana Carolina Sanchez. Meanwhile, Department of Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban highlighted the societal impact of platforms like NVAT Fresh Online on farmers. The post Online agri trading hub connects farmers to more businesses appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BOC to donate seized P42-m smuggled rice for gov’t programs
The Bureau of Customs is considering donating the confiscated 42,180 bags of imported rice to some departments implementing government assistance programs. In a news forum, BOC-Port of Zamboanga chief Benito Lontok said the plan to donate the smuggled rice for the implementation of the Department of Agriculture’s Kadiwa Program and the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s assistance programs is still “subject to approval” of BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio and Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno. “Idu-donate po yata sa (It might be donated for the implementation of a) government program, I don’t know po kung Kadiwa or sa DSWD (if it would be donated for Kadiwa or DSWD’s programs). Pero ‘yun po ay pinag-uusapan pa (It is still being discussed),” Lontok said. The smuggled rice, amounting to P42 million, was seized during a raid at a warehouse in Barangay San Jose Gusu in Zamboanga City. The local bureau inspected the warehouse on 19 May after receiving information that smuggled rice was being stored in the area. Lontok said authorities found irregularities, although the warehouse owner, BLY Agri-Venture Trading, was able to submit import documents. There were disparities between the actual seized goods and the descriptions provided in the submitted documents, he added. “The payment records submitted referred to a shipment of White Rice 15 percent Broken, while the physical examination confirmed that the confiscated rice was Jasmine Fragrant Rice,” he said. Lontok added the warehouse also lacked the necessary Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance from the Bureau of Plant Industry. “That’s why we issued a warrant of seizure and detention, and eventually na-forfeit po iyong goods (the goods were forfeited) in favor of the government,” he said. On 1 September, the BOC-POZ issued an Order of Forfeiture for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, Rice Tariffication Law, and Republic Act No. 10845, otherwise known as the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016. The BOC said they will conduct more inspections of warehouses following a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “to address hoarding and illegal rice importation” in the country. In late August, the BOC raided three warehouses in Bulacan allegedly storing smuggled rice reportedly worth over P500 million. The post BOC to donate seized P42-m smuggled rice for gov’t programs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
More Korean tourists, investors eyed for ‘insurgency-free’ Mindanao areas
Department of National Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong on Friday said the Korean government has expressed willingness to further expand their business ventures in Mindanao, following the declaration of some areas in the region as having been freed from the insurgency problem. This development was discussed during the introductory call of the Republic of Korea ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa on Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. at the DND headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on 17 August. Andolong said Teodoro and Lee likewise discussed the upcoming” high-level” visit of Korean President Yoon Suk Yeo to Manila, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of Philippines-ROK diplomatic relations. “[This will] be an occasion for our two countries to reaffirm our commitment to strengthen our longstanding relations and further explore ways of building shared opportunities,” he added. During their meeting, Teodoro conveyed the country’s appreciation for Korea’s assistance in addressing the Philippines’ internal security issues and providing aid during calamities. The Defense chief also cited Korea’s assistance in the capacity-building of members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “The Secretary also recognized the opportunity to diversify defense cooperation with the ROK, which has been among the Philippines' largest partners in terms of defense materiel and logistics,” Andolong said. He added that both officials seek to further improve the “high influx of Korean tourists and investors” in the Philippines. “Recalling the declaration of the Davao region as insurgency-free, Secretary Teodoro shared with Ambassador Lee that he sought to further expand this status of a secure tourism and investment-ready destination across the whole of Mindanao,” Andolong said. The Davao region has maintained its “insurgency-free” status for more than a year now, after a long history of being a place of clashes between the military and communist rebels. In April 2022, Korean delegates, particularly former Ambassador Kim In-Chul, along with other Korean government organizations and private sector companies, held an official business visit in Davao City to assess possible areas of investment opportunities in Mindanao such as infrastructure, telecommunications, connectivity, energy and agri-business for Davao City and Panabo City. The post More Korean tourists, investors eyed for ‘insurgency-free’ Mindanao areas appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl can aid Zimbabwe in agri sector
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the Philippines is willing to help Zimbabwe develop its agricultural sector to make it more food sufficient. As Zimbabwean non-resident Ambassador to the Philippines Constance Chemwayi presented her credentials to Marcos at the Malacañang Palace, the Chief Executive said the Philippines could extend assistance to Zimbabwe in developing its agriculture sector. "Like you, we are prioritizing agriculture. And in fact, it is both the supply and the price of agricultural commodities. And with that, we talk not only about products, but even the inputs such as fertilizer. I think we are all undergoing that," Marcos said. "So, I hope that we can find a way. We happen to have a very well-developed research and development and schools that have been actually the premier schools for agriculturists and agronomists here in Asia," he added. In exchange, Chemwayi conveyed his keen interest in understanding the Philippines, informing Marcos that Zimbabwe is actively developing its agricultural and infrastructure domains, aiming to achieve middle-income status by 2030. Chemwayi mentioned that Zimbabwe's focus lies in bolstering its agricultural and infrastructure divisions, aiming to transform into a middle-income nation by 2030. Additionally, she mentioned that the country is actively advocating for the establishment of additional agricultural universities. Zimbabwe and the Philippines officially forged ties on 18 April 1980, commemorating 43 years of diplomatic affiliation. The post Phl can aid Zimbabwe in agri sector appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
P34.5-M smuggled sugar seized at MICP
The Bureau of Customs reported yesterday the discovery of P34.5 million worth of smuggled sugar last 11 July at the Manila International Container Port. A spot check at the MICP led to the discovery of refined sugar from Thailand valued at P17.25 million. A second shipment of sugar, also consigned to Smile Agri Ventures and worth as much as the first, was later discovered, according to the BoC. The sugar shipments arrived at the MICP on 27 May this year, along with 100,000 kilos of silica sand in each container. The BoC ordered the spot check after its intelligence and investigation field station requested the issuance of pre-lodgement orders, or PLOs, last 30 June to verify tips about the smuggling. “The PLOs were requested based on information that the shipments contained agricultural products, misdeclared and undeclared goods,” the BI said. Verne Enciso, BoC intelligence and investigation chief, said that “based on the spot-check examination, the derogatory information received turned out to be positive.” Enciso said they had recommended the issuance of seizure and detention warrants for the smuggled sugar. Earlier, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry urged the government to resolve the rampant smuggling of agricultural products into the country, saying that local farmers could not compete with the lower-priced imports, more so smuggled goods. The post P34.5-M smuggled sugar seized at MICP appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Agri remains the number one priority says PBBM
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday that the government is committed to improving the country's agricultural production and that electrification is essential to this effort. The Chief Executive said this as he graced the distribution of various government assistance in the City of Butuan. "We cannot improve and strengthen our economy if we do not fix agriculture," Marcos said in his speech. "The whole system has changed — the sources we used to rely on for agricultural commodities have changed because of the pandemic. Everything has changed," he added. To address this, Marcos said that the government is implementing a number of programs to support the agricultural sector, including the Kadiwa store, which sells agricultural products directly from farmers to consumers, and the RCEF program, which provides farmers with machinery and other inputs. "We are just starting. We will continue doing this. It will not stop until we can say that no one needs TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) anymore, no one needs AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations), no one needs that kind of cash transfer because everyone has a job," Marcos said. Marcos also said that the government is working to improve the supply chain for agricultural products and to make it easier for farmers to export their goods. "We are here to help those in need," Marcos said. "We hope that not only through providing this aid but also through improving the economy, the lives of our fellow countrymen will improve," he added. The post Agri remains the number one priority says PBBM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DAR vows to be vigilant against the conversion of agri-lands
The Department of Agrarian Reform on Tuesday said it will continue to work against the conversion of agricultural lands even with the recent signing of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. DAR in a statement said the agrarian reform mandate makes sure to monitor arable tracts of land in the country and prevent them from being converted into other purposes other than agriculture. These are lands susceptible to agricultural development, like ancestral domain, ancestral land, forest land, timberland, and mineral parks under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources that require patents before being used. Arable lands according to the DAR, should be planted to avoid being converted. At the same time, the agency said will continue with the agrarian reform program which is mandated under the 1987 Constitution, a policy of the State to make the landless farmer and landless regular farm workers, owners of the land they till. This mandate, it said, is already realized through the DAR, which was established sometime in the 1950s. The Republic Act 6657 or an Act Instituting a Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) on the other hand will continue to allocate funds to agrarian reform-implementing agencies. The goal of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who also serves as Agriculture chief, DAR said is to push for the economic empowerment of farmers through agricultural productivity, profitability and rural development. The post DAR vows to be vigilant against the conversion of agri-lands appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Agri smuggling probe open-ended
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the investigation into agricultural smuggling would not have a specific end date as he wants the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the matter thoroughly. Marcos, who concurrently sits as agriculture chief, said he instructed the DoJ and NBI to investigate the reported smuggling, hoarding, and price fixing of agricultural products. “I am not fond of giving deadlines. Of course, I want them to finish immediately, but it needs to be completed. Not hastily. Let them do their investigation,” the President said in an interview with Palace reporters on the sidelines of Livestock Philippines 2023 in Pasay City. “I told them, you need to understand that it’s not just about onions but also syndicates. There are many syndicates still operating that we need to pursue and end their activities,” Marcos said. He reiterated that what the syndicates were doing “amounts to economic sabotage, adding that the government cannot simply neglect the matter. “There are hungry Filipinos. There are Filipinos who are dying of starvation and poverty due to their actions,” he said. To recall, Marcos issued a directive to the DoJ and NBI earlier this week to investigate the illegal importation of onions and other agricultural products. This after Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo said in a memorandum to the President that there was substantial evidence showing the existence of an onion cartel that could have been behind the surge in onion prices in 2022. The Philippine Competition Commission said last February that it had been investigating the existence of an onion cartel since November 2022. In a video message on Tuesday, Marcos said he issued the directive after considering the results of a previous investigation conducted by the House of Representatives on the significant increase in onion prices. The investigation revealed allegations that a cartel was behind the price manipulation. The post Agri smuggling probe open-ended appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Agri smuggling probe no end date yet, says Marcos
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the investigation into agricultural smuggling would not have a specific end date as he wanted the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the matter thoroughly. Marcos, who concurrently sits as agriculture chief, said he instructed DOJ and NBI to investigate the reported smuggling, hoarding, and price fixing of other agricultural products. "I am not fond of giving deadlines. Of course, I want them to finish immediately, but it needs to be completed. Not hastily. Let them do their investigation," the President said in an interview with Palace reporters on the sidelines of the Livestock Philippines 2023 in Pasay. "I told them, you need to understand that it's not just about onions but also syndicates. There are many syndicates still operating that we need to pursue and end their activities," Marcos added. He reiterated that what the syndicates were doing "amounts to economic sabotage, adding that the government cannot simply neglect the said matter. "There are hungry Filipinos. There are Filipinos who are dying from starvation and poverty due to their actions," he added. To recall, Marcos issued a directive for the DOJ and NBI earlier this week to investigate into the illegal importation of onions and other agricultural goods. This is after Marikina Representative Stella Quimbo said in a Memorandum to Marcos that there was substantial evidence showing the existence of an onion cartel that could be behind the surge in onion prices in 2022. But the Philippine Competition Commission said last February that it had been investigating the potential existence of an onion cartel since November 2022. In a video message on Tuesday, Marcos stated that he issued the directive after considering the results of a previous investigation conducted by the House of Representatives regarding the significant increase in onion prices. The investigation revealed allegations of a cartel behind the price manipulation. The post Agri smuggling probe no end date yet, says Marcos appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Business mission to lead RP-Russia agri partnership
The Department of Agriculture on Tuesday reported that it took part in the Business Mission of Russian companies, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation and Agroexport Center, which recently concluded in Manila on 21 June 2023. The event aimed to foster collaboration and explore potential business opportunities between the two countries. The DA’s said its participation in the mission is expected to pave the way for more partnerships and initiatives that will benefit the Philippine agriculture industry. DA Undersecretary Agnes Catherine T. Miranda represented the Department and conveyed her appreciation to the Russian Federation for their ongoing bilateral trade with the Philippines. She highlighted that Philippine agriculture exports to Russia have grown by 26 percent from 2018 to 2021. The opening ceremony was followed by a tour of the booths belonging to 15 agribusiness companies mainly involved in industries such as poultry products, dairy, pork, wheat, grain, and tea, among others. The main event was the plenary session “Russia-Philippines: prospects for the development of cooperation in the field of agriculture,” wherein Undersecretary Miranda and Bureau of Animal Industry Director and Philippine Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Paul C. Limson delivered the prospects for mutual trade between the two countries. The spotlight was on the emerging agricultural products of the Philippines, including pili, calamari, carrageenan, and coconut abaca. Undersecretary Miranda mentioned that there are excellent capital investment opportunities in cold storage and processing facilities for fresh and value-added farm products throughout the islands. Director Paul Limson presented the Philippine guidelines for ensuring food and animal health safety during accreditation procedures for exporting meat and meat products to the country. Top agriculture exports to Russia are desiccated coconuts, carrageenan, banana chips, coconut milk, and Cavendish banana. The post Business mission to lead RP-Russia agri partnership appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Data-backed weather warnings for agri workers sought
Farmers are appealing to the Department of Agriculture, headed by no less than President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., to form a committee that would translate scientific weather data into proper warnings for agriculture workers. At a press briefing on Monday, Federation of Free Farmers' Cooperative Inc. National Manager Raul Montemayor said data-based warnings would save farmers from losing millions or even billions worth of produce to weather phenomena such as El Nino. “We have been warned that the country will face El Nino this year, which somehow scared farmers to continue planting. As such, the DA has to translate weather projections to site-specific projections to properly guide farmers,” Montemayor told reporters. “Hopefully, this can be done by mixing science and agriculture. The data from the state-weather bureau should be translated by the DA into something useful for the farmers. We have to have something like this soon,” he said. However, Montemayor lamented that the DA, despite numerous calls for proper dialogue, has yet to fully open its doors to consider farmers’ proposals. “We have to look at history to get an idea about the potential effects of El Nino. When we say El Nino, there will be less rain than normal, which can sometimes be good for some areas with rice plants,” he explained. Ana Solis, chief of the Climate Monitoring and Predictions Section of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or PAGASA, however, said that the agency continues to get in touch with the DA. “We gave our forecasts to the DA so they can use them for their mitigation measures,” she noted. “Based on our forecasts from July to December, the possible reduction in water is around 22 to 44 percent. It will be difficult to prepare if this El Nino lasts until next year,” Solis explained. Due to fears of El Nino, some farmers in Quezon province notably stopped planting rice. As such, Tugon Kabuhayan convenor Atty. Asis Perez urged rice farmers to keep planting palay even until September —stressing that the El Niño dry weather phenomenon will still occur in October. Perez, who was a former director at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, said that rice farmers must have clear information about the start of the occurrence of El Niño. "The farmers can still plant in July, August, and September, and by October that's the best time to harvest as it will be hot, no rains,” he explained. Based on the latest PAGASA estimates, 36 provinces in the country may experience dry spells by the end of December, while 2 provinces, namely Camarines Norte and Southern Leyte, may face “meteorological drought.” The post Data-backed weather warnings for agri workers sought appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»