BACOLOD CITY—The Department of Agriculture in Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) will create a database for crops in demand for import, including abaca, banana and pineapple.
DA-NIR Joyce Wendam, in a statement on Wednesday, said the creation of database for crops will be taken up during the Regional Management Committee (RMC) meeting on January 23 here.
The meeting will be attended by officials and representatives of the DA-NIR and other member-agencies in the region.
Wendam said the DA is identifying more areas in Negros that have potentials for abaca, banana and pineapple production in response to the directive of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol to regional line agencies to increase the production of these agricultural commodities with Iran opening its market to the Philippines.
She added that since Iran is a huge market, the DA chief wants to ensure that the country has the capacity to supply the needs of the Middle Eastern country.
Wendam said after identifying the potential areas, the DA-NIR will then work on crafting project proposals to be submitted to the national government.
Piñol had earlier announced that Iran Ambassador Mohammad Tanhael informed him that their country would like to buy more bananas, pineapple and abaca from the Philippines.
The DA chief said Iran is currently buying its abaca supply from a third country, which also buys from the Philippines.
Iran also plans to import more bananas, pineapples and mangoes from the Philippines, while offering apples and nuts in exchange, Piñol added.
“The ambassador also said that Iran would be willing to provide the country with synthetic rubber supply in exchange for its natural rubber in view of the country’s plan to establish its first Filipino-owned tire factory,“ Piñol said on his
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