Agriculture

By Rose de la Cruz Several areas of the Philippines, notably Metro Manila, are sinking–  based on satellite imagery, physical evidence and other studies–  as sea levels rise because of climate change. This, according to a study done by the UP Resilience Institute, which discussed the cause of Manila’s sinking and its effects in terms of flooding and land subsidence. …

By Rose de la Cruz There’s nothing shocking/surprising about the wider agricultural trade gap in the second quarter of 2024. Because of El Nino, low water supply and confusing policies on rice and other food crops from the Department of Agriculture– with the new leadership focused more on announcing his new plans rather than implementing existing ones– production took a …

By Rose de la Cruz  GROW bamboo and reduce the cost of constructing a house or any infrastructure project,  The Asian Development Bank is now encouraging developing countries, including the Philippines to help farmers by pushing them to grow more bamboos for ecological and economic considerations.  Growing bamboo in developing countries could help farmers access the financial market and bring …

DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. asked investors to direct their efforts and support to the wide array of sciences available that match their business needs in their fields.  DoST, through its Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, and the Pampanga State Agricultural University and the Association of PAQE Professionals are now …

A type of bacterium called Escherichia coli (E. coli), found in the feces of humans and animals, is often released into bodies of water such as streams.  Although most E. coli strains are harmless, some can cause foodborne diseases such as gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, and dysentery. Feces are a major source of microbial contamination in fresh produce.  With the rise …

Jamaika Aguhob graduated at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree years back as a Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) scholar  Jamaika’s father, a beneficiary of the DAR, prodded her to finish college eve after losing her mother.  And despite their financial challenges and doubts about affording a college education, her father …

By Rose de la Cruz It doesn’t take an economist to explain that lower import duties don’t necessarily translate to lower local retail prices, particularly of rice, which the Marcos administration is desperate to control to manage inflation and spur GDP (gross domestic product) growth. Reducing the tariff on agricultural commodities from 35 percent to 15 until December 2028 would …

By Rose de la Cruz The Federation of Free Farmers is asking Congress to investigate alleged extortion activities of some personnel at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) from farm school owners and managers to expedite the release of grants for farmer-scholars. The same group also asked newly-appointed TESDA Director General Jose Francisco Benitez to conduct a similar  …

While still governor of Ilocos Norte, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (now president) lobbied hard with his father, President Marcos Sr. and mom, First Lady, Imelda Romualdez Marcos to fund the Northern Foods Corp., that would process the province’s tomato products for value adding. Then costing P110 million, NFC (a failed tomato venture founded by Marcos Jr. in the 1980s), closed after …

On August 16, acting on information from Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., a composite team from the Department of Agriculture-Inspectorate and Enforcement Office, the Bureau of Customs, and other law enforcement units, raided an illegal storage facility in Navotas that led to the seizure of over 300 tons of smuggled vegetables, including onions and carrots. Tiu Laurel cited …