Agriculture

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has expanded market monitoring nationwide to strictly enforce the P50 per kilogram price ceiling for imported rice with 5 percent broken grains. In a statement Tuesday, the agency reported that compliance has steadily improved since the measure took effect, reaching 47.42 percent in the latest round of simultaneous inspections across Metro Manila and other regions. The increase is credited to more frequent checks and stronger presence of law enforcement in public markets.

JTI Philippines has committed to purchase an additional 3.32 million kilograms of local green weight tobacco leaf to absorb excess supply caused by overproduction in major growing areas. The move supports farmers amid weaker global demand that drove down prices from last year’s highs.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is urging rice farmers to continue planting this wet season, assuring production remains viable and profitable despite threats from severe El Niño and rising input costs driven by global oil market shifts.

The Philippines has officially committed to take part in the International Horticultural Expo 2027 in Yokohama, Japan, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced.

Filipino banana growers could soon gain access to advanced artificial intelligence and drone technologies as Japanese agri-tech company E-SupportLink Ltd. moves to expand its operations in the Philippines, potentially accelerating efforts to modernize one of the country’s most important export industries.