Agriculture

The country would have imported meat imports exceeding the volume and value achieved in 2023 because of animal diseases and bad weather that crimped domestic output. The Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA) cited import figures from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)  as of September 30 where imported meat rose by 12.65 percent to 1.04 million metric tons (MMT) …

By Rose de la Cruz Properly frozen and stored confiscated fishery and meat products imported from abroad must be declared as such and put in reserve stockpile for use in emergencies. This was the advice of the Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA) even as the Department of Agriculture is asking the Bureau of Customs to release such confiscated items …

By Rose de la Cruz Ever since the devolution of agriculture extension workers to the local government units under the Local Government Code of 1991, these civil servants— who have been much help to the farmers in previous years– have not learned much, or were barely used by the LGUs to further agricultural development in their jurisdictions. More often than …

By Rose de la Cruz The reduced import tariff on rice —  which government hoped would redound to lower retail prices —  was only benefitting rice traders. Raul Montemayor, national manager of the Federation of Free Farmers,  claimed  importers are cornering much of the value from the lowering of tariffs with prices not falling as much as they should. “Right …

There is no question that using aerial sprays through drones in applying fertilizers and pesticides in expansive areas could cut costs and would be more efficient. However, it would  spread the toxic substances  much faster than the traditional manual spraying and scattering of these chemicals. Hence,more farm families would be  reporting respiratory illnesses and other health issues in the coming …

Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte, whose province was hardest hit by severe Tropical Storm Kristine, is pushing the country’s bid to access financing from the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FrLD) of the United Nations after the country was hit by a six-cyclone series in October and November.  He said the fund, created by the UN Framework Convention …

Expect prices of local avocados to soar higher. With Japan  set to import big volumes of this highly-nutricious and medicinal fruit, dometic prices of avocados are expected to increase even more.   The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), said Manila wants to increase Haas avocado shipments to 484,000 kilos, or 484 …

By Rose de la Cruz A prescription by one of the largest farm groups in the country for government to first check the disconnect between farmgate and retail prices of agricultural products is, by far, the most practical, realistic and intelligent voice I heard these days since my experience yesterday  buying onions from a non-trader but whose relative in Nueva …

By Rose de la Cruz The Department of Agriculture said sugar importation has been held until May 2025 following the conclusion of the current crop year’s harvest. The decision was reached after DASecretary Francisco Tiu Laurel noted that there is no immediate need for additional stocks from outside since domestic supply of both raw and refined sugar would be sufficient …

The Department of Agriculture, which has allowed the entry of nearly 4,800 metric tons of ginger,  is  surprised at the retail price of this vegetable — commonly used as spice or herb —  at P100 per kilo. because of strong demand from manufacturers of herbal and turmeric teas. Data from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) showed that 4,759 MT …