In a bid to further establish closer economic and trade relations with other agri-producing countries, the Department of Agriculture is initiating renewed engagement with Papua New Guinea to discuss possible cooperation on large-scale rice production and affordable fertilizer sourcing.
During a media briefing, Agriculture secretary Francisco ‘Kiko’ Tiu Laurel Jr. disclosed that at the inaugural Melanesian Ocean Summit held in Port Moresby, he met with officials of Papua New Guinea’s Department of Agriculture and Livestock to push for possible collaboration between Port Moresby and Manila in rice production and fertilizer supply for Filipino farmers.
The agri chief discussed with the high level delegation from Oceania the importance of renegotiating and updating the 2018 Philippines-Papua New Guinea Memorandum of Agreement on Agricultural Cooperation that aims, in part, to modernize and expand bilateral agricultural trade.
Under the 2018 agreement, covered cooperation included rice and grain production, promotion of coconut, coffee, cocoa, rubber, palm oil, agribusiness, aquaculture, inland fish farming, livestock breeding, post-harvest development and training on biosecurity and sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
However, the agreements rice component was particularly ambitious with the Philippines helping establish a rice demonstration or model farm in PNG, deploying Filipino farm technicians and exploring the development of large tracts of land for rice production in the island country.
“The concept then was for output to first serve PNG’s domestic needs, with any surplus potentially exported to the Philippines,” Tiu Laurel pointed out as he disclosed that renewed talks with PNG would come as food security remains a priority for the Marcos Jr. administration, with rice prices, fertilizer costs, climate shocks and supply disruptions continuing to affect Filipino households and farmers.
In this regard, a partnership with PNG will present a possible long-term cooperation in agricultural production, now with optimal development because of PNG’s available land, geographic proximity and existing fisheries relationship with Manila.
To this the agri chief cited that Philippine expertise in rice farming, farm technology, aquaculture and post-harvest systems could support its own food self-sufficiency goals.
Discussions likewise gave indication on how food security diplomacy is increasingly being linked with fisheries diplomacy. The Philippines has long relied on Pacific waters, including PNG’s tuna-rich fishing grounds, for part of the supply chain that supports its tuna industry. In turn, agricultural cooperation—particularly in rice technology and farm development—can deepen trust and broaden the economic relationship between the two countries.
“If successfully revived and implemented, the updated agriculture agreement could benefit PNG farmers through technology transfer and production support, while opening opportunities for Philippine agribusiness companies, farm technicians, and eventually consumers if surplus rice becomes available for export,” Tiu Laurel asserted.
However, he also cautioned that projected benefits will depend on clear implementation as large-scale offshore rice production will require transparent land arrangements, viable infrastructure, financing, logistics and safeguards to ensure that local communities in PNG also benefit.
In ending, the agriculture secretary cited that fertilizer discussions with PNG pose as a significant factor for Filipino farmers, who remain vulnerable to global fertilizer price spikes driven by energy costs, shipping disruptions and geopolitical tensions.
“Any reliable and affordable fertilizer sourcing arrangement could help reduce production costs, although no specific volume, price or supply commitment has been announced,” he concluded while stressing that the Port Moresby talks will pave the way for the Philippines to diversify its food security options, not only by importing when needed, but by building longer-term production partnerships with countries that can complement Philippine agricultural needs.