EU explores agri development, investments with DA
‘European businesses stand ready to share best practices and expertise to support the continued growth and advancement of the agriculture sector in the Philippines’
Delegates from the European Union-ASEAN Business Council and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines discussed last week mutual interests in agricultural development, trade and investments, and other matters including potential areas of cooperation, the Department of Agriculture reported over the weekend.
DA officials led by Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban conferred with the delegates, bringing up several issues including the need to address the high prices of sugar in the local market.
As of the 24 May report of the DA-Surveillance, Monitoring, and Enforcement Group, the price of refined sugar ranges between P86 to P110 per kilo in Metro Manila. Washed sugar, meanwhile, is priced at P82 to P90 per kilo, while a kilo of brown sugar can be bought at P78 to P90.
Phl sugar production
Sugar Regulatory Administration administrator Pablo Luis Azcona revealed that the country’s sugarcane production is expected to increase to 1.78 million metric tons and the need to import some 440,000 MT of sugar to cover supply gaps.
Currently, the Philippines has about 390,000 hectares of sugarcane plantations — 90 percent of which are owned by small-scale farmers.
With over five million Filipinos dependent on the sugarcane industry, Azcona said the SRA intends to increase the industry’s productivity and profitability by adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices, promoting drought- and wet season-resistant sugarcane varieties, upgrading select mills in Luzon, consolidation of sugar farmers into 30-hectare farms, and mechanizing and modernizing plantations in the country.
Leveraging European expertise
“European businesses are at the forefront of innovation and sustainable practices in agriculture, and today we stand ready to share these best practices and expertise to support the continued growth and advancement of the agriculture sector in the Philippines,” said EU-ABC vice chairman Tassilo Brinzer.
“By leveraging our expertise in agribusiness management, sustainable farming techniques, and market access, we hope to uplift the livelihoods of Filipino farmers and contribute to poverty reduction in rural areas,” he said.
The DA also highlighted various efforts towards food security in the Philippines, which includes promoting opportunities in agriculture among the Filipino youth through the Young Farmers Challenge, reviewing the Department’s key commodity investment plans through the Philippine Rural Development Project, promoting accessible and affordable healthcare for local agricultural laborers and their families, and improving local food production and competitiveness while also opening the country’s doors to collaborative activities with the EU and other foreign partners.