Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. (PNA file photo)
Philippines to Boost Agricultural Production with Strengthened Cooperation with Italy
The Philippines is set to significantly strengthen its agricultural sector through a boosted partnership with Italy. According to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., the collaboration will focus on modernizing Philippine agriculture and expanding trade opportunities.
The announcement came during the recent World Food Day celebrations in Rome, where an agreement on a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Philippines and Italy was presented.
“Italy’s agricultural machinery industry is world-class, and the Philippines can greatly benefit from this expertise as we modernize our agricultural sector,” Tiu Laurel said.
Key Areas of Collaboration
The draft partnership aims to support the agro-industrialization of Filipino farmers and encompasses several key areas:
- Modernization: Access to Italy’s advanced agricultural technology and machinery will modernize Philippine farming practices.
- Export expansion: The Philippines will explore expanding exports of key commodities such as tuna, pineapples, frozen fish, carrageenan, and desiccated coconut to Italy.
- Increased investment: Italian businesses are encouraged to invest in Philippine agriculture, fostering smart agriculture initiatives and infrastructure development.
- Work opportunities: The partnership aims to create work opportunities for skilled Filipino fishers in Italy.
Tiu Laurel also highlighted the rising demand for Philippine food products in Italy, driven by the growing Filipino community and the increasing popularity of Filipino cuisine.
Strategic Partnership with FAO
Beyond the collaboration with Italy, the Philippines is also strengthening its partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The collaboration focuses on specific commodity targets, including abaca, bamboo, mango, and seaweeds.
“We are keen to develop our agriculture sector through increased trade and investment. The Philippines is dedicated to creating sustainable livelihoods for our farmers and fisherfolk,” Tiu Laurel said during a meeting with FAO Director-General Dr. Qu Dongyu.
The partnership with FAO includes securing access to pandemic funds under the World Bank, boosting these key agricultural sectors, and supporting the Philippines’ general food security objectives.