Agriculture
100,000 MT less rice seen imported this year and next
The Philippines is seen importing 100,000 metric tons less rice this year and next due to improved farm output and despite the favorable impact of the recalibration of tariff rates on the commodity, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said on Tuesday.
DA nixes call for state of national calamity amid ASF surge; indemnification raised
The Department of Agriculture on Monday dismissed suggestions to declare a state of national calamity in response to the surge in African Swine Fever (ASF) infections.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said enhanced border controls, an emergency inoculation program, and increased indemnification measures should suffice to manage the outbreak effectively.
DA, URC tandem sustain program boosting potato farming
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Universal Robina Corp. (URC) have agreed to sustain a program that has significantly enhanced potato farming and overall farm productivity in the Philippines.
DA sets up livestock checkpoints to prevent diseased hogs transport, stop rapid ASF spread
The Department of Agriculture will set up several livestock checkpoints across Luzon in response to the rapid spread of African Swine Fever in Batangas suspected to have been exacerbated by unscrupulous hog traders selling diseased pigs.
‘Giving away rice seeds for free is good but what will happen when the RCEF is exhausted?’
The Federation of Free Farmers is urging Congress to make full use of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) in strengthening the entire rice seed system instead of merely distributing planting materials to farmers for free.
