Agriculture

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has successfully implemented a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for imported rice, leading to a notable reduction in prices and providing relief to Filipino consumers. The policy, introduced in early February, has resulted in a significant drop in rice prices without causing major disruptions to the rice industry.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. recently led the turnover of key outputs from the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Soils and Water Management's (DA-BSWM) Mobile Soil Laboratory (MSL) pilot project in Tarlac. The pilot, conducted from 20 January to 7 March 2025, covered 17 towns and one city, delivering essential soil testing services aimed at improving agricultural productivity.

The Philippines and Palau have formalized a groundbreaking cooperation agreement aimed at promoting responsible fishing practices and enhancing trade and investment in the sector. The memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed between the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Philippines and Palau’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Environment, focuses on fighting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, sharing technology, and strengthening infrastructure for fisheries.

Palay production in the first quarter of 2025 is expected to reach 4.72 million metric tons, with higher yields offsetting a decrease in rice planting area, according to the latest estimate of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the inauguration of a P278.3-million grains terminal and trading station in Batangas City, marking a pivotal moment for the agricultural sector. The facility aims to reduce the cost of animal feeds by consolidating the supply of corn, which in turn is expected to lower the prices of poultry and livestock products, particularly in the Southern Tagalog region.