Department of Agriculture Senior Undersecretary and concurrent DA OIC Domingo F. Panganiban updated agri-beat reporters on significant issues, directives, and ways forward in the agriculture industry during a meet and greet session on August 22, 2022, at the DA Office of the Secretary.

He stated that the department is continuously working on the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. especially on addressing the issues of rice sufficiency, sugar and salt (for coconut fertilizer) shortage, and the high price of fertilizer.

“High-value crops and Kadiwa centers will continue to be prioritized,” Usec. Panganiban said.

He informed the group that milled sugar are distributed in selected groceries and are sold at Php70 per kilo.

However, consumers can only buy one kilo per day. He also said that sugar price in the market is expected to lower within the week.

On salt shortage for coconut fertilizer, Usec. Panganiban said that DA will work on the formulation of fisheries salt program to address the shortfall of common salt.

Common salt is used as a fertilizer to rehabilitate chlorine deficient coconut trees, increase coconut production, and copra yield.

Further, an estimated 500 metric tons of fertilizer, sourced from China and Malaysia through government-to-government transaction, will also arrive in the country within the week. These can be acquired by farmers through loan. # # # (Bethzaida B. Sarian, DA-AFID)