PH ramping up agri

The Philippines is stepping up agricultural cooperation with Japan to expand exports, modernize farming systems, and strengthen long-term food security, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

This came after the high-level meetings involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese officials during the chief executive’s official state visit this week.

In a statement on Saturday, Tiu Laurel said the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) discussion with Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture centered on technology exchange, logistics efficiency, and broader market access for Philippine agricultural and fisheries products.

He said that among the priorities is the planned export of Philippine pomelo to Japan before the end of the year, alongside the country’s participation in a major Green Expo next March aimed at promoting Philippine horticulture products.

“There’s a very big export market for horticulture products in the world… we need to maintain this and grow it further,” Tiu Laurel said, adding that horticulture is emerging as a key export growth area alongside traditional agricultural commodities.

Protecting Philippine banana exports to Japan—its biggest market globally—also remains a major concern.

“We reiterated our request for reduction in tariff while we prepare for our CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) accession,” he said.

The Agriculture chief added that discussions also covered new market access for pomelo, food security, and fisheries cooperation, particularly in tuna —a long-standing Philippine export to Japan.

Tiu Laurel noted that Japan’s advanced agricultural infrastructure and post-harvest systems provided valuable lessons to the Philippines.

During site visits, the Philippine delegation inspected modern grain facilities equipped with automated dryers and dehuskers capable of handling large volumes with minimal manpower.

He said the technology could serve as a model for upgrading the National Food Authority’s grain storage and processing operations.

One of the delegation’s biggest takeaways, he noted, was Japan’s rice storage capability.

“Japan could store rice for up to five years. In the Philippines, our buffer stocks are stored for 30 days,” Tiu Laurel said, describing the contrast as an eye-opener for the country’s food security planning. —VAL, GMA News