By Manny Piñol
Manila – Two technical teams from Singapore’s Agriculture and Veterinary Agency (AVA) have started a 10-day on-site inspection of vegetable and fruit farms, hog, poultry and egg farms all over the country as the Philippines prepares to export its agricultural products to its rich neighbour in the ASEAN region.
The Quarantine and Inspection Group from AVA is headed by Dr. Chua Tze Hoong, Group Director, and Dr. Neo He Sheng, senior veterinarian of the Laboratories Group.
Singapore CDA Zhou Suli and the AVA team leaders called on the Secretary of Agriculture this morning prior to their second day inspection of the production facilities.
The inspection of the Philippine farms is the first step in the planned importation by Singapore of several agricultural commodities from the Philippines.
Among the commodities identified for export to Singapore are:
– High Value Vegetables and Fruits;
– Pork and processed pork products;
– Dressed chicken and eggs;
– Seafoods, including White Shrimps.
Last year, following reports that Malaysia was scaling down its exports of poultry and eggs to Singapore, the Department of Agriculture immediately reached out to the then Ambassador of Singapore to the Philippines, Kok Li Peng, to make a formal offer to supply the rich state’s food requirements.
Ambassador Kok immediately arranged for the visit of an inspection team right after the Chinese New Year so that the proposed production areas of the commodities for export could be inspected.
Among the facilities to be inspected are:
– Gemsun Marketing, an egg layer farm in Batangas;
– Novoagri, Inc., egg processing in Batangas;
– Pilmico Layer Farm in Tarlac;
– Robina Farm No. 23 in Naic, Cavite;
– Ana’s Breeder Farms in Davao City;
– Matutum Meat Packing Corp. in Gen. Santos City;
– Fruits and vegetable farms;
– Government Quarantine and Sanitary Faciltiies.
Next month, the DA will hold a Philippine Agri-Aqua Food Show in Singapore to showcase the best products that the country could offer to the huge market dependent on imported products.
In May, a Singapore delegation is expected to visit the country to formalise the start of the export of the commodities by the Philippines.
(Photos by Gian Carlo Luague, DA AFID)
More Stories
Cotabato Eyes Huge ‘Halal’ Meat Demand
‘DV Savellano’ Model Bamboo Goat House
Practical Farming: Turn Used Plastic Containers Into Life-Time Laying Nests!