The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MOALI) held the First Meeting of the Philippines-Myanmar Joint Committee on Agriculture (JCA) on July 31, 2018 at the Discovery Primea Hotel in Makati City, Metro Manila. The Philippines was chaired by Undersecretary for Operations and Agri-fishery Mechanization Ariel T. Cayanan. Myanmar Delegation was headed by Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Hla Kyaw.

The Philippines have proposed collaborative activities on fisheries including its interest to land fishery products from the Indian Ocean and establish fisheries processing facilities in Myanmar. It also highlighted that the collaboration would be a win-win situation considering that the Philippines has a good track record in combatting Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) and is an EU GSP + beneficiary.

Additionally, the Philippine Delegation also proposed a working visit on mungbean production and reiterated its intent to export day old chicks, meat, meat products and shallots to Myanmar. The Philippine Delegation also expressed its intention to invest in Myanmar which was received favorably. Myanmar informed the Philippines that priority areas are on cold chain and fish processing.

Myanmar presented six work plans and training proposals for collaboration with the Philippines in the field of food processing and value-adding, brood stock management of shrimp, seed sector development, buffalo breeding, pasture development and agricultural machinery. Both countries have set specific action items to initiate work in the agreed collaborative activities.

Upon agreement, the JCA will be conducted every two years.