Agriculture
RSSI infestation in Visayas widens
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) reported a significant 35 percent increase in red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation in the Visayas, with affected sugarcane areas expanding to 2,027.79 hectares as of Wednesday, up from 1,505.82 hectares a week earlier.
NFA tightens palay buying rules to block traders, help real farmers
The National Food Authority (NFA) is rolling out stricter rules for buying palay (unhusked rice) to make the process more transparent and make sure the small farmers, not traders, benefit.
PH eyes Taiwan as partner in agri-logistics backbone
In a move aimed at accelerating the shift toward agricultural self-reliance, proponents of the proposed Farm-to-Market Digital Logistics Backbone have formally extended an invitation to Department of Agriculture (DA) officials to visit Taiwan—a country expected to play a pivotal role in funding and supporting the project.
DA flags smuggled onions in Paco over public health risk
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has warned against buying illegally imported onions—often noticeably larger than locally grown allium—after samples collected last week from the Paco Public Market in Manila tested positive for E. coli.
25 metric tons of red onions seized in Misamis Oriental
The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI), in collaboration with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), intercepted 25 metric tons of illegally imported red onions from China at the Mindanao International Container Terminal in Misamis Oriental.
