A local program that aims to improve the productivity of sugarcane farms has drawn the interest of other sugar-producing countries, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said on Monday.
Delegates from Tanzania and Fiji expressed their interest to learn more about the country’s Block Farm Program after SRA Administrator Regina Bautista-Martin gave a presentation on Philippine sugar policies in the 47th Council Session of the International Sugar Organization (ISO) held recently in Guatemala.
The Block Farm Program is the “centerpiece” of the Sugar Development Act of 2015, according to the SRA. It aims to provide management, technical and production support services to sugar farmers through farm-consolidation practices.
“Both countries have small farm holdings of less than 10 hectares, which makes it difficult to remain viable in a volatile world market with changing sugar policies, particularly in the European Union [EU],” Martin said.
Martin said representatives from Tanzania and Fiji hinted on the possibility of their delegations’ visit to the Philippines to see firsthand the operation of block farms in the country.
Through block farming, small farms can take advantage of plantation-scale production. Farmers can get coached and guided farm management for at least two cropping seasons.
The ISO is an intergovernmental organization based in London which is made up of sugar-producing countries, including the EU. It was created through the International Sugar Agreement of 1968.
It aims to promote the trade and consumption of sugar by gathering and publishing information on the sugar market, and research into new uses for sugar and related products. ISO also serves as a forum for intergovernmental discussions on sugar.
This is the second consecutive year the SRA was asked to give a presentation during the ISO Council Session. Martin is also set to give a presentation in the 24th ISO Seminar, which will be held in London this November.