Agriculture
DA testing on rice samples raise mislabeling red flag
A Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) monitoring exercise has uncovered potential mislabeling practices in rice sold in key urban markets, raising concerns that some...
DA to mass-produce natural fungus vs sugarcane pest
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is scaling up production of a naturally occurring fungus to fight the red‑striped soft scale insect (RSSI), a pest that can cut sugar content by nearly 50 percent. First seen in 2022, RSSI now ranks as a major threat to the Philippine sugar industry.
Farmer’s son turns coconut night climb into code
For generations, the work of a mananguete has depended on strong legs, steady hands and a willingness to climb towering coconut trees in the dead of night. For mechanical engineer Arniel “Maxi” Cunahap, it also became the inspiration for a patented invention that could transform one of Philippine agriculture’s most dangerous jobs.
Reopened Strait of Hormuz allows gov’t focus on El Niño preparations
The Department of Agriculture (DA) welcomes on Tuesday the expected reopening of the Strait of Hormuz following a U.S.-Iran peace deal. This shipping route had been closed for over 100 days, pushing up costs for fuel, fertilizer, and transport worldwide.
DA intensifies hog repopulation for food security
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is stepping up efforts to rebuild the country’s hog population while keeping pork supplies steady and prices stable, balancing industry recovery and food security amid the ongoing threat of African Swine Fever (ASF).
