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Government

DA CREATES ‘INTEGRITY CIRCLES’ TO ENSURE GRAFT-FREE USE OF FUNDS – DAR

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has created “integrity circles,” dubbed as “Agriculture Dialogue and Information Network Groups” (ADING) to ensure efficient, effective, and graft-free use of limited public funds. “This is our response to the call of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to provide transparency and integrity in all government interventions,” DA Secretary William Dar said […]

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Government

DA PARTNERS WITH CITY OF MANILA FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE – DAR

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has partnered with the Manila City government to promote urban agriculture and household food security. During a visit of DA officials and executives of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno at the Manila City Hall recently, Agriculture Secretary William Dar […]

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Politics

LGUs BUYING FOOD FROM FARMERS SHOULD BE PART OF NEW NORMAL – PANGILINAN

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic crisis is an opportunity for our farmers to increase their incomes and for the country to become food secure, Senator Kiko Pangilinan said. Pangilinan, former Presidential Assistant on Food Security and Agricultural Modernization, was reacting to Agriculture Secretary William Dar’s report to the Senate that local government units (LGUs) bought […]

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Government

VIETNAM RESUMES RICE EXPORTS TO PHILIPPINES – DAR

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam has resumed rice exports to the Philippines and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to maintain adequate food supply in the region amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. “We welcome the decision by Vietnam to resume its rice export policy and taking into account the difficulties […]

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Government

DA OPENS DOORS TO OFWS FOR AGRI-VENTURES – DAR

A former overseas Filipino worker (OFW), Engineer Celestino Mananguit of San Ildefonso, Bulacan, developed an integrated eight-hectare livestock farm, expanding it into a techno-demonstration and agri-tourism farm that provides food, livelihood, and employment in his community. A retired seaman, Melbert Gabriel Fadrigo, developed their family farm in Hamtic, Antique, mechanizing his operations and now producing […]

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Government

DA EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH PRIVATE GROUPS FOR E-KADIWA – DAR

To cater to more farm producers and consumers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has expanded partnership for the implementation of the e-Kadiwa marketing initiative. Agriculture Secretary William Dar recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with eight new partners, including six merchants and two logistics providers. Farmshare Prime, Livegreen International Inc., Farmfetch Inc., Banwa Farms/Cultigen […]

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Government

‘BALIK PROBINSYA’ PROGRAM PAVES WAY FOR AGRI INDUSTRIALIZATION – DAR

The Department of Agriculture supports the implementation of the “Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2)” program as it will not only decongest Metro Manila and ensure balanced regional development and equitable distribution of wealth, resources and opportunities, but also pave the way for the modernization and industrialization of the Philippine countryside. “We commend Senator Lawrence ‘Bong’ […]

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Government

DA NEEDS P66-B FOR STIMULUS PLAN FOR COVID-19 IMPACT IN AGRI SECTOR – DAR

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar recently recommended to lawmakers a P66-billion stimulus plan to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the agriculture sector. During a virtual hearing of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, Dar said the stimulus package would include P15 billion for the cash for work program […]

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Government

DA ALLOTS P230-M FOR RICE-CORN PROJECT OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES – DAR

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is supporting the “BigMa” (Bigas-Mais) rice-corn blending initiative of listed firm AgriNurture, Inc. (ANI) and groups of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Mindanao to devote vast tracts of idle land for planting white corn as an alternative to reduce dependence on imported rice.  In a virtual press conference, Agriculture Secretary William […]

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Government

LGUs BUY MORE THAN P1.58-B WORTH OF PRODUCE FOR FOOD PACKS DURING COVID-19 CRISIS – DAR

The Department of Agriculture (DA) reports that to date local government units (LGUs) nationwide have bought tons of farm and fishery products worth more than P1.58 billion direct from farmers and fishers since the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was imposed on March 15, 2020. “We are indeed happy to report that since the start of […]