Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. is pushing an aggressive farm-to-market road (FMR) buildout in Mindanao, betting that hundreds of billions of pesos in untapped agricultural value can finally be unlocked once long-isolated farmlands are connected to commercial hubs.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has officially completed bringing the P20-per-kilo rice program to all 82 provinces, marking a key milestone in the Marcos administration’s push for more affordable and stable food supplies.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD500 million policy-based loan to boost the Philippines’ blue economy, marking its first major cross-sector initiative focused on national marine development.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has increased the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) of red onions to P150 per kilo from P120, effective December 11, citing higher import costs and a weaker peso.
The Philippines is pushing a four-year plan to modernize its agriculture sector, focusing on better infrastructure, logistics, and irrigation, according to Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa at the “Canada-in-Asia: Momentum Manila” event. Speaking on behalf of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., De Mesa said reducing post-harvest losses is central to improving productivity and food security.