Agriculture
Coffee growers propose allocation from tariff funds for coffee development
Stakeholders in the Philippine coffee sector are urging the government to develop an updated roadmap to boost local coffee production, highlighting the country’s heavy reliance on imports.
DENR to offer 50 mining assets for bidding
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced plans to offer at least 50 mining assets with expired or cancelled contracts for competitive bidding, starting as early as next month.
DA to enforce P43 price cap on imported rice
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will step up market inspections to ensure retailers follow the P43 per kilogram suggested retail price (MSRP) for imported rice, despite the ongoing suspension of rice imports.
Biliran’s rice-based food industry faces aging workforce crisis
A recent study by the Department of Agriculture - Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) highlights a critical challenge facing Biliran’s rice-based food production (RBFP) industry. Despite generating over P100 million annually, the sector is at risk as most traditional delicacies are produced by aging processors, with few young people taking their place.
Tobacco farmers warn of nearly P1-B loss due to cigarette smuggling
The Philippine Tobacco Growers Association (PTGA) estimates local farmers could lose ₱978.44 million in 2025 due to the continued rise in cigarette smuggling. The group said around 11.8 billion sticks of illicit cigarettes are expected to flood the market next year, displacing roughly 9.4 million kilograms of locally grown tobacco.
