Agriculture

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 …

Another myopic bill–  granting the Department of Agriculture the task of directly importing rice just because the substantial reduction on tariffs on rice imports did not lead to reduced retail prices of the staple–  is being eyed at the Lower House, which could lead to a split personality for the DA. The DA is basically tasked with protecting and supporting …

The  successive destruction to properties, lives and livelihood in the country  due to  climate change and calamities caused by government inaction remain as unpopular electoral issues even as the Philippines continues to lead the list of countries most vulnerable to disasters. This was the observation of  analysts as they called for a stronger push among civil society groups, opposition forces, …

By Rose de la Cruz Just when milling of sugarcane is starting to peak this month, the decision to import sugar from abroad has been put on hold to prevent local prices from plunging just like in recent years. The Department of Agriculture said sugar importation has been held until May 2025 following the conclusion of the current crop year’s …

By Rose de la Cruz Another myopic bill– that granting the Department of Agriculture the task of directly importing rice just because the substantial reduction on tariffs on rice imports did not lead to reduced retail prices of the staple– is being eyed at the Lower House, which could lead to a split personality for the DA. The DA is …

By Rose de la Cruz Tariff ccollections from rice for the last six months  will fall 57.45 percent to P12.1 billion because of the tariff cut to 15 percent until 2028. Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the revenues from rice imports under the old tariff of 35 percent have been used to fund the programs and projects under the Rice …

The  Department of Agriculture is  encouraging farmers to plant a third crop utilizing either ratooning or inbred rice seeds to compensate for palay lost in the recent super typhoons,  DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said among the measures in the  rice  industry  roadmap are ramping up crop intensity, promoting ratooning and encouraging farmers to plant a third crop. Laurel …