Agriculture

As the push to modernize agriculture through mechanization from land preparation, transplanting and harvesting, rural jobs are getting scarcer even in the face of labor shortages. At the recent Lakbay-Agham: Catching up with Scientists in Nueva Ecija,” an annual event of the Philippine Rice Research Institute, scientists have cautioned against pursuing mechanization without regard for regional labor conditions that if …

Scientists from the UP Diliman-College of Science conducted the first detailed microbial genomic study of a submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) site in Mabini, Batangas, and  uncovered the potential roles of microorganisms in medical applications and biotechnology, a UPD-CS press release said. SGD occurs when groundwater from land seeps into the ocean, transporting freshwater, nutrients, metals, and even pollutants into marine …

BEYOND ELLIPTICAL By Rose Marie de la Cruz I completely agree with the Federation of Free Farmers in calling for a leadership change at the Departments of Agriculture, Agrarian Reform and Labor and Employment. Clearly, these agencies have fallen short of their targets and commitments. In a statement, the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) called on President Marcos Jr. to …

The Makati Business Club urged the government to invest more in farm infrastructure like irrigation, drying and storage facilities than subsidizing rice, which would bring down rice prices to P20 per kilogram. Infrastructure investment is more sustainable and efficient than subsidizing rice prices, MBC Chairman Edgar O. Chua told reporters emphasizing that the key is to reduce farmer reliance on …

Anid farmers’ displeasure over his lackluster performance, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. makes a last-ditch effort to be remembered and hopefully retained at DA during the ongoing Cabinet recalibration.  He is strongly pushing for a palay floor price to ensure that farmers aren’t always on the losing end. In a press release Monday, DA said Laurel hopes to release …

A floating solar power plant to be set up in the Laguna lake is being vehemently opposed by fisherfolk and environmental advocates for its “adverse impact on the livelihood of over 8,000 small fisherfolk and coastal residents.” Raphael Lotilla, who was newly reassigned to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (from the Department of Energy), immediately faced this problem …

By Rose de la Cruz Very satisfied with their higher yield from palay they harvested in the previous crop using Bio N biofertilizer and the savings they made from forgoing the use of at least two bags of chemical fertilizer per hectare costing P1,500 to P1,750 per bag, a surge in demand for Bio N biofertilizer is now being felt …

By Rose de la Cruz Last April 10, farmers’ group, Federation of Free Farmers voiced the peasants’ desire for a floor price for palay to save them from “severe drops” in farmgate prices.  It took the government over one month on May 20 to respond that it is studying the idea to ensure protection for the farmers.  FFF chair Leonardo …

BEYOND ELLIPTICAL By Rose Marie de la Cruz Just glancing at the idea of imposing seasonal tariff for rice, I don’t know just how systematically this can be implemented, without opening the floodgates for corruption and other trade malpractices. As it is, EO 62, which was revised in June 2024, including changing its nomenclature, failed in its mission to protect …

The country’s meat imports surged by 25.9 percent (year-on-year) in the first quarter of 2025 due to higher demand for pork and chicken imports, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) reported. The BAI data released Tuesday showed that total meat imports in the January to March this year rose to 344.59 million kilograms from 273.64 million kg for the same …