Categories
Government

INDUSTRY ROADMAP TO MODERNIZE COCONUT SECTOR — DA

The coconut sector will be the first to reap the benefits of a well-planned development program with the completion of the Coconut Farmers’ and Industry Roadmap (Coco-FIRM). “We commend the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and its management, led by administrator Benjamin Madrigal, Jr., for their efforts, making them the first among the bureaus and attached […]

Categories
Government

SOLAR-POWERED COLD STORAGE TO AID FARMERS – DAR

To maintain the quality of agricultural produce and prevent post-harvest losses, thereby enabling farmers to earn a decent income from their yield, the Department of Agriculture has teamed up with the Next Agri Corporation Philippines Inc., and Ecofrost Technologies India for the installation of solar-powered storage in food production areas across the country. Agriculture Secretary William Dar […]

Categories
Government

BENGUET TRADING CENTER TO BE INCORPORATED – DAR

After six years in operation, the Benguet Agri Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) in La Trinidad — considered as the country’s biggest vegetable trading facility — will be transformed into a corporation. “We believe such transformation is forthcoming, as we aim to optimize the potentials and profitability of the BAPTC through the provision of more cost-efficient […]

Categories
Government

INT’L COOPERATION TO HELP END HUNGER BY 2030 – DAR

Agriculture Secretary William Dar called for greater international cooperation to ensure that science-driven innovations and technologies are institutionalized in the agriculture sector to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change, and end hunger by 2030, among other United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “It is important that international pooling of knowledge, science and technology, and […]

Categories
Government

DA REVISES FARM MACHINERY PROCUREMENT PROCESS

To allow more farm machinery manufacturers and distributors to join the government’s farm mechanization program, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has reduced the previous 25-year and 30-year “market presence” requirement to just 10 years. “The policy democratizes the procurement process and makes the bidding more competitive, in pursuant to the ‘Government Procurement Reform Act’ or […]

Categories
Government

PH NOW EXPORTING PROCESSED MEAT TO JAPAN – DAR

In addition to “chicken yakitori,” the Philippines can now export processed meat products to Japan. Agriculture Secretary William Dar said this favorable development is due to the recent inclusion of the Philippines by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) in its list of certified countries that passed the Hazard Analysis and Critical […]

Categories
Government

NAT’L SOIL HEALTH PROGRAM GETS DUTERTE OK — DAR

As part of the government’s goal to attain food security, President Rodrigo Duterte recently approved a National Soil Health Program (NSHP) aimed at rejuvenating the country’s degraded and “sick” soils and ensuring increased crop production in a sustainable manner. The NSHP will be implemented by the Department of Agriculture through its Bureau of Soils and […]

Categories
Government

NEW SYSTEM FOR ORGANIC AGRI CERTIFICATION LAUNCHED

The Department of Agriculture (DA) recently launched the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), which is the key feature of the Republic Act (RA) No. 11511, an act amending the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 or RA 10068. “Made possible by the support of our legislators, RA 11511 opened opportunities for our small farmers and fisherfolk who […]

Categories
Politics

PH BEGINS OKRA EXPORTS TO KOREA – DAR

In partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Philippine Okra Producers and Exporters Association (POPEA) started the commercial shipment of fresh okra to the Republic of Korea at the Philippine Airlines Cargo Terminal. Agriculture Secretary William Dar and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez showed the government’s full […]

Categories
Government

PH NEEDS MORE MODERN SOIL LABS – DAR

Through the recently approved National Soil Health Program with P523.575-million funding, Agriculture Secretary William Dar directed the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to set up modern and efficient national and regional soil laboratories. “We want to have the regional laboratories including of course the national soils laboratory […]