DA EXPANDS MINDANAO PALM OIL PRODUCTION

Agri workers reject oil palm plantation expansion plan in Mindanao

The group called it a “terrible” policy. CAGAYAN DE ORO — A labor center for agricultural workers thumbed down the government’s plan to expand oil palm plantations in Mindanao, saying this will not benefit farmers and farmworkers. Ariel Casilao, chairperson of the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA), said that the expansion would lead to corporate exploitation of oil palm leaseholders and growers and to land grabbing from peasants and I…

DA EXPANDS MINDANAO PALM OIL PRODUCTION

The Department of Agriculture DA is sharpening its focus on oil palm, confident that expanded plantations in Mindanao can curb imports, raise farm incomes, and strengthen the country’s edible oil supply. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signaled plans to significantly increase funding for the fledgling sector in 2027 after this year’s proposed P1 billion allocation was slashed to just P79 million.  The Department of Agriculture is …