Agriculture
PhilRice warns farmers of rice pest outbreaks in early 2026
The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), under the Department of Agriculture, is warning rice farmers to prepare for possible pest infestations in the first quarter of 2026, based on trends seen over the past five years.
DA probes trade flow and costs behind food prices in Divisoria
The Department of Agriculture (DA) visited Divisoria on January 23 to examine how vegetables and other farm products move from suppliers to consumers, and how costs along the way affect retail prices.
Cuyapo farmers cut costs, boost harvests with solar irrigation
Farmers in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija are seeing immediate relief from high fuel costs and water shortages after receiving a solar-powered mobile irrigation system from Manila Electric Company (Meralco). The project helps farmers water their fields without using diesel, improving harvest quality and lowering expenses.
PCIC budget jumps to P6.5B, expands free crop insurance for farmers
The government has raised the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) budget to a record P6.5 billion in 2026, up 45 percent from P4.5 billion last year, to give farmers and fisherfolk stronger protection against crop losses.
DA draws line on farmland conversion in food security push
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has delivered a bold policy pivot, ordering an immediate freeze on all new agricultural land reclassification applications as the Department of Agriculture (DA) moves to fortify the nation’s food security strategy and shield precious farmland from rapid conversion pressures.
