Both countries are now in talks regarding the possible development of the sugar and ethanol industries.
On August 29, delegates from Brazil’s Embassy in Manila and Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) met with DA officials to discuss areas of collaboration between the two countries to boost sugarcane and ethanol production in both countries. This visit was prompted by the Philippine Department of Agriculture – Sugar Regulatory Administration (DA-SRA)’s visit to Sao Paulo, Brazil early this year.
Both countries are now in talks regarding the possible development of the sugar and ethanol industries. As one of the leading countries in sugarcane and ethanol production, Brazil offers academic programs related to the sugarcane industry and incorporating ethanol in its national energy grid.
DA Assistant Secretary for Policy Research and Development Noel Padre and ABC Technical Cooperation with Africa, Asia, and Oceania Manager Antonio Junqueira assured to strengthen the forged partnership between the Philippines and Brazil for the benefit of the sugarcane and ethanol industry players.
Engr. Laverne Olalia, Research Development and Extension Department Manager of the DA-SRA, stressed that the Philippines can learn from Brazil’s best practices on soil development and management, mealing practices, and farm technologies to improve local production. He added that based on the SRA’s observations during its visit to the country last January, Brazil’s best practices and innovations can be adapted to the Philippine setting.
The Brazilian delegates recommended bringing in a team of experts to the Philippines to facilitate knowledge-sharing initiatives that are geared towards the expansion of sugarcane plantations, the promotion of farm efficiency, enhancing meal conversion, improving production chains, and lowering production costs in the Philippines.
