DA, IPOPHL plan to protect distinctive produce
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL) to protect agricultural products from distinctive geographical regions.
New Malagos chocolate varieties bag awards in Florence event
DAVAO CITY -- The Malagos chocolate brand of cacao grower and chocolatier Malagos Agri-Ventures Corp., is capping the year with another four awards in a global competition, the International Chocolate Awards–World Final held Oct. 26-Nov. 2 in Florence, Italy.
Soil, crop studies needed before alterations to planting calendar — expert
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) needs to evaluate soil types and their suitability to crops on a regional basis before it implements changes to the planting calendar, according to an expert from the Climate Change Commission (CCC).
Malaysia to raise bio-content in biodiesel from December 1
KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia will increase the minimum bio-content local producers must add to its biodiesel fuel for certain sectors to 10% from 7% starting on Dec. 1.
Senate bill seeks to create pili research center in Sorsogon
SENATOR Francis G. Escudero has filed a bill seeking to create a Pili Research and Development Center in Sorsogon.
Organic wine market growing rapidly but to remain niche, study finds
PARIS -- The market for organic wine will grow rapidly in the next five years as environmentally-conscious consumers increasingly favor pesticide-free wines, but their market share will remain relatively small globally, a study showed.
China approves Kazakhstan barley, corn to imports
BEIJING -- China approved imports of barley and corn from Kazakhstan, the customs administration said on Friday, in a move aimed at diversifying the country’s sources of grain shipments.
Thai seed firm projecting greater PHL vegetable consumption
THAILAND’S East-West Seed Group said that it will introduce new varieties of seed into the Philippine market where it expects strong growth due to increased consumption of vegetables.
USDA says nearly $840M in aid paid to farmers to date
WASHINGTON -- US Department of Agriculture has paid out nearly $840 million to farmers to date as part of a promised $12 billion aid program rolled out by President Donald Trump last July to offset losses from the imposition of tariffs on American exports.
PNG rice planting project ready for harvest in Nov.
RICE planted by Filipino farmers in Papua New Guinea (PNG) will be ready for harvest in December, to be sold in that country and the excess exported to the Philippines, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
New blow to Chinese agriculture as African swine fever discovered in wild boar
BEIJING -- China’s efforts to stem the spread of African swine fever were dealt a fresh blow on Friday when the agricultural ministry confirmed it had found the first case in a wild boar, deepening a three-month-old crisis for the world’s top pork producer.
Biofuel groups ask federal judge to freeze US refinery waiver
NEW YORK -- A group representing biofuel companies asked a federal judge on Tuesday to force the US Environmental Protection Agency to stop exempting small refineries from renewable fuel laws until a lawsuit challenging the agency’s actions is resolved.