FROM September 28 to October 4, 2023, the United States government, through the US Commercial Service, sent its first Agricultural Technology Trade Mission to Davao City and Manila to explore trade and investment opportunities that will help support the resiliency of the Philippine agricultural supply chain.
Nine American companies and one US state university were part of the trade mission that brought a mix of the latest innovations in agriculture technology (precision agriculture, digital farming, genetics), postharvest infrastructure, irrigation, farm mechanization, agricultural chemicals, IT-enabled services for agriculture, and animal feeds, among others.
US trade mission participants included Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Aviagen Inc., Cargill, John Deere, PepsiCo, Sukup Manufacturing, Valmont Industries, Veea Inc., Viasat, and Northwest Missouri State University.
“Agriculture cooperation is central to the story of the US-Philippine relationship as Partners in Prosperity,” said US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson. “This Agricultural Technology Trade Mission injects innovation into this relationship, vastly expanding opportunities for Filipino farmers by connecting them to US technology solutions.”
“Many of these companies already contribute to Philippine food security and play a critical role in our growing agriculture partnership,” the ambassador added.
Organized in partnership with the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), the trade mission’s engagements with various regional and local business councils, Philippine companies, and government agencies strengthened the shared commitments of the Philippines and the United States toward promoting food security.
During their visit, the trade mission met with the National Food Authority, Department of Finance, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Department of Information and Communications Technology.
While in Davao from September 28 to 30, the trade mission met with government leaders from Davao City led by Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr., representatives from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm), local industry players, and business associations.
During these meetings, trade mission members discussed the importance of collaboration in achieving food security and strengthening the Philippine agriculture industry, especially in Barmm.
During their visit to Manila from October 2 to 4, the trade mission met with Department of Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban to discuss collaborations in improving high-value crops, such as rice and corn, in the Philippines.
“This trade mission focused on agriculture technology in the broadest sense, including improving access to needed resources through increased connectivity for Philippines farmers,” US Embassy Senior Commercial Officer Paul Taylor said.
“Agriculture is the foundation of our global economy. We believe the companies represented on this mission can help the Philippines fully take advantage of the next generation of advanced farming practices,” he added.
“We are here to learn about new investment opportunities, explore how we can confront challenges together, and put forth a sound partnership between these companies and between the US and Philippine governments,” said BCIU Senior Program Officer for Agriculture Joseph Walters. “We want to make sure that what we are doing is mutually beneficial for everyone involved.”
In 2022, US-Philippine bilateral trade in agricultural products exceeded $4 billion. The Philippines is a Top 10 market for US agricultural exports. At the same time, the United States is increasing its purchase of Philippine agricultural commodities, helping create jobs in rural communities. (PR)