Department of Agriculture
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Government stops importing rice for first time as private sector now sole rice importer: DA
The Philippine government has stopped importing rice entirely, leaving the private sector as the sole rice importer under the Rice Tariffication Law, Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel said Saturday. Tiu Laurel made the statement in an interview on DZRH News program Special on…
Marcos administration seizes most agricultural smuggling haul in history: DA chief
The Marcos administration has recorded the highest value of seized agricultural smuggling in Philippine history, Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel said Saturday. Tiu Laurel made the statement in an interview on DZRH News program Special on Saturday on July 18, as part of the DZRH…
Palace explores new rice measures as inflation hits 15.6%, bio-fertilizers and Kadiwa expansion among options
The government is exploring new interventions to bring down rice prices after year-on-year rice inflation climbed to 15.6% in May, with bio-fertilizers and the expansion of Kadiwa centers among the measures being considered, a senior Palace official said Saturday. Undersecretary Erwin Sta. Ana of…
DOST chief to households, farmers, LGUs: here’s how to get ahead of El Niño
With an intensifying El Niño forecast to grip most of the Philippines by the last quarter of 2026, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is urging communities not to wait—laying out a practical set of low-cost interventions that households, farmers, and local governments can begin acting…
‘Worsening’ El Niño to hit 49 provinces by October, may last until early 2027: DOST chief
As many as 49 provinces across the Philippines are expected to record below-normal rainfall by October as an intensifying El Niño episode takes hold—and the dry spell may persist well into early 2027, the country’s top science official warned Saturday. Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said…
Marcos admin pumps funds into infrastructure to prop up economy amid Middle East crisis
The Marcos administration is pumping funds into major infrastructure projects across key government agencies to prop up the economy and sustain employment amid the ongoing Middle East crisis, ordering a catch-up plan to ensure all programs are delivered on time this year. Executive Secretary Ralph…
As PH locks in 1.5M MT rice import deal with Vietnam, Davao journalist warns Filipino farmers are being ‘slowly killed’
While the government celebrates a deal securing 1.5 million metric tons of rice from Vietnam, a veteran Davao journalist says the policy behind it is quietly destroying the livelihoods of the very farmers the country depends on. Serafin “Jun” Ledesma Jr., speaking on DZRH’s Special on Saturday on…
Farmers stuck with broken government tractors as DA relaxes supplier standards, says ex-Agriculture chief
Former Agriculture Secretary Leony Montemayor is raising alarm over the quality of farm machinery being distributed to Filipino farmers, saying a decision to relax supplier pre-qualification standards six to seven years ago has left farmer cooperatives with tractors that break down easily and no…
Ex-Agriculture chief sounds alarm over DA procurement system for fertilizers, seeds, and farm Inputs
Former Agriculture Secretary Leony Montemayor is calling on the Department of Agriculture (DA) to explain why participation in its procurement bidding process for fertilizers, seeds, and farm inputs appears to be limited — raising concerns that qualified suppliers may already be excluded before…
Kiko Pangilinan announces task force formed to protect food security amid oil crisis
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan announced Tuesday, March 31, that the AGRI-AGRA Team has formed a dedicated task force to monitor the Middle East crisis and shield the country’s food security and agriculture sector from its effects. The team brings together the Department of Agriculture (DA)…
The Iran war is showing why the Philippines can’t afford to neglect its farmers
A war thousands of kilometers away is beginning to ripple through something as basic as the Filipino dining table. The conflict involving Iran has pushed oil prices higher, disrupted key shipping routes, and strained global supply chains—especially for fertilizer, a critical input for food…
The Philippines’ food supply is safe—for now—and why we should thank our farmers
For now, food remains available. Rice is being harvested, fish supply is steady, and markets are holding despite rising costs linked to tensions in the Middle East. That buffer, according to Agriculture Undersecretary Asis Perez, comes down to timing. The crisis coincided with harvest season…
With Bureau of Plant Industry, Isko Moreno hopes to bring Singapore’s urban farming technology to Manila
Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso said the city government is working with the Bureau of Plant Industry to explore the adoption of Singapore’s urban farming technologies as part of efforts to strengthen food sufficiency in the Philippine capital. Speaking during the 96th…
DA chief cites PCA, NDA, PFDA among top performing attached agencies in 2025 year-end review
Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr. on Saturday, December 13, identified several attached agencies under the Department of Agriculture (DA) as standouts for 2025, citing institutional improvements and expanding production programs. In an interview on DZRH News program Special on…
DA chief welcomes agriculture growth in third quarter of 2025, palay output surge
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said Thursday, November 6, that efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DA), as directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., are helping drive growth in the agriculture and fisheries sector, whose production value in the third quarter rose 2.8…