The government assured that there is enough supply of rice for the country, despite damages of crops brought about by tropical storm Ondoy. The Department of Agriculture (DA) said that the National Food Authority (NFA) has more than a month’s worth of inventory in stock. It also said that considering the current inventories carried by [...]

In the Philippines, natural rubber production remains an emerging industry even though the country started growing trees at around the same time as Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. These three countries at present supplies 75 percent of the world’s rubber requirement.
This year though, the Philippines is hopeful that there will be an increase in the country’s [...]

A bright prospect for the Philippine coffee industry looms in the horizon, as the country might get new coffee varieties in a joint coffee project with Angola.
Flavio Fonseca, ambassador of the Republic of Angola said, “Our intention is to promote the increase in coffee production. We are identifying new areas for a development cooperation between [...]

Fearing the ethanol blend would have an adverse effect on their customers’ cars, the country’s largest oil refiner, Petron Corp, is urging the Department of Energy (DOE) to come up with concrete guidelines on the utilization of ethanol blend in the transport sector.

Because of the fear of shortfall, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has increased allocation of this commodity for local consumption in the 2009-2010 crop year.  The SRA, together with the Philippine Sugar Millers Association Inc. (PSMA) has allocated 1.944 million metric tons  (MT), this is equivalent to 90% of the expected 2.16  million MT raw [...]

To promote a healthier citizenry and a more empowered sector and an environment-friendly atmosphere, a lawmaker is pushing for organic farming, or a chemical-free agricultural method. A bill called Organic Farming Act of 2008 has been filed by Quezon Rep. Proceso Alcala.
The bill seeks to establish a comprehensive organic farming program and designate a dedicated [...]

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has made available to private hybrid palay seed producers faster access to new varieties it developed.
Ronilo A. Beronio, executive director of the state-run Philippine Rice Research Institute (Philrice) said “The private sector can now develop their own [palay] technology and disseminate these hybrid seeds to farmers… they will be [...]

The government announced that for the first time, the Philippines will be exporting yellow corn and its first shipment would be for Vietnam. This was confirmed by Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, who said that the National Food Authority (NFA) already had talks with authorities in Vietnam, and they have committed to prioritize buying Philippine corn.

Numerous farm tribulations are encountered by the Filipino farmers. Among these are questions as to which of the problems should be given the priority. In what way could the rice producing program work? What blocks and which is the major holdup in the farming industry?
Ms. Imelda Arida, a specialist in science research of PhilRice’s Socioeconomics [...]

Banana has become one the Philippine’s major export products because of the growing global demand. In line with this development, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently signed Executive Order 807 which lifted the limit of hectarage for banana export plantation.
The lifting on the limit of the hectarage for banana export plantation was based on the recommendation of [...]

Crop production in Oriental Mindoro is normally steady all year round due to its favorable climate. However, these arid months of 2009, Calapan, Oriental Mindoro farmers have experienced a drastic yield loss because of what they believed to be the result of climate change.
This sudden irregularity in weather and higher occurrence of rainfall that caused [...]

August is the month where Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) will celebrate its 23rd National Coconut Week. Oscar G. Garin, PCA Administrator said that the coconut week will be highlighted by the 8th Coco Festival.
The 8th Coco Festival is a trade and exhibit which will showcase the various products and by-products derived from the different parts [...]

On August 27 to 30, 2009 the 5th Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Commercialization Forum and Exhibit will be held at the Megatrade Hall 3, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. The said forum and exhibit will be spearheaded by the Bureau of Agricultural Research.
The theme for this year is “Enhancing Entrepreneurships in Agriculture and Fisheries through Technology [...]

A new method of drying fresh fish has been developed with the help of the new cabinet solar dryer created by Macondray Plastics, Inc. (Macplas), a local firm in Davao City who has been supplying the plastic bag requirements of banana plantations in Davao since the 1990s.
The cabinet solar dryer known as Helichaus was developed [...]

San Miguel Corp., the biggest food and beverage conglomerate in Southeast Asia is looking into the possibility of taking over the operations of global agro-industrial company Dole Food Co. in the Philippines, as well at other opportunities offered by Dole beyond local shores. San Miguel president Ramon Ang disclosed that somebody approached them and they [...]

His profession was nursing, but his calling was different. Lito Arenas went back home,  after finishing a nursing course, to pursue something closer to his heart – raising mangoes in his hometown in Manaoag, Pangasinan.
That was years ago. Now, he is one of the biggest suppliers of mangoes in the country, which proves that he [...]

They started with 2,000 cows imported directly from Australia, and in the years that followed the mother cows gave birth to more than 3,000 offspring. Now, this farm in Lanao Del Norte who has a population of more than 5,000 heads of cattle is the biggest dairy farm in the country today.

The new Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) law is expected to be signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on August 8, as per announcement by the Malacañang. However, the Congress has yet to ratify a conference committee version approved shortly after legislators took a break in early part of June.

Jatropha is locally known in the Philippines as tuba-tuba, tawa-tawa, kalunay, kasla, and tangan- tangan. It grows in different areas in the country. It is a non-edible oil-yielding perennial shrub. It can grow up to 5 meters high with green leaves having length and width of 6 cm to 15 cm. Originally, it is found [...]

Another company is investing into the renewable energy. This time it’s independent oil player Eastern Petroleum Corp., who is set to put up a $30-million ethanol plant in Isabela next year. The facility will have a rated capacity of 100,000 liters a day or 30 million liters a year. It is expected to be completed [...]