Agriculture

BEYOND ELLIPTICALBy Rose Marie de la Cruz It is a nice and wise move for the Sugar Regulatory Administration to repeat the voluntary purchase program (VPP) for raw sugar– or siphoning off a substantial volume of the sweetener from the local market–to prevent the freefall of raw sugar prices prior to the peak milling season. First adopted in the crop …

The National Dairy Administration (NDA) aims to raise the country’s milk sufficiency rate from the current 1.66% to 5% by 2028 through international collaboration and potential funding from France’s government and private sector. The Philippines and France recently signed an agreement to boost dairy sector cooperation, with an ongoing feasibility study assessing the viability of a large-scale milk production project. …

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has indicated that he would recommend increasing tariffs on imported rice if retail prices rise to between P42 and P45 per kilogram. “It can be from 15 [percent] to 20 or 15 to 25 or full 35 depending on the situation and after consultations with all stakeholders,” he stated. Executive Order (EO) 62, which …

A Switzerland-based company has engaged in discussions with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to explore the possibility of establishing a manufacturing plant for coconut husk-based medium-density fiberboard (MDF) in the country. Swiss firm Naturloop AG, known for producing cocoboard, a 100% bio-based MDF made from coconut husks, is considering local production to streamline costs and enhance supply chain efficiency.  The …

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has identified Bukidnon as the country’s top contributor to the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector in 2023, accounting for 7 percent of the national gross value added (GVA).  Nueva Ecija followed with a 4.6 percent share, while Pangasinan ranked third at 3.8 percent. Also making it to the top 10 contributors were Pampanga (3.7 percent), …

The digital age has changed how people get into romantic relationships, opening the door to a new breed of deception—AI-powered love scams. Fraudsters now leverage artificial intelligence to create convincing fake identities, using deepfake images, voice cloning, and AI-driven conversations to manipulate victims into emotional and financial entanglements. Unlike traditional scams, AI-enhanced fraud is more sophisticated and harder to detect. …

BEYOND ELLIPTICALBy Rose Marie de la Cruz Vast tracts of farmlands in the country have become parched from the blunders of the National Irrigation Authority to service water through its national systems, which had cost the government P2 billion of wasted investments. The Commission on Authority last February 1 released its report recommending that contracts be rescinded, bonds forfeited, court …

By Rose de la Cruz The AgriSpecialists Inc. (ASI) can now sell and distribute its BioN biofertilizers for use in rice and all other crops. The announcement came after the Laguna-based company finally secured its certificate of product registration (CPR) from the Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority (FPA) allowing it “to sell and distribute its Bio N biofertilizer.” FPA Executive Director …

Two key measures regulating tax increases on cigarettes and strengthening excise tax administration to combat illicit trade and minimize revenue losses have been sent by the House of Representatives to the Senate. House Bills 11360 and 11286 have been approved by the lower chamber on third and final reading, signaling a major step in refining tax policies on tobacco products. …

The maximum suggested retail price for imported rice is now at P55 per kilogram starting Feb. 15. The Department of Agriculture said the MSRP would apply to imported rice with five percent brokens. It is confident that come March the price cap would be lowered to P50 or below per kg. after two weeks.  “This should reflect the lower global prices …