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MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has created 43 industry commodity boards covering crops such as cacao, coffee, coconut, and Hass avocado, in a bid to strengthen agricultural productivity, enhance farmer support, and expand the Philippines’ foothold in global trade.

The move was formalized under Memorandum Order (MO) 45 signed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., which mandates the councils to meet monthly—or as often as necessary—to raise urgent concerns and recommend solutions to the DA chief.

“The Philippines is an agricultural country with a variety of crops that play a key role in its economy and livelihoods,” the DA said. “But each crop faces unique challenges, from pests and diseases to fluctuating market prices, lack of modern technology, and inadequate infrastructure.”

The DA said the commodity boards will serve as a platform for dialogue and collaboration between industry leaders, government agencies, and other stakeholders. These councils are expected to provide targeted strategies that address specific sector needs, leading to higher productivity, resilience, and global competitiveness.

“Our aim is to boost local production to not only meet domestic demand but also expand into international markets, increasing exports and strengthening the nation’s position in global trade,” the agency added.

The boards will be composed of representatives from both government and the private sector.

Laurel earlier said the DA will also seek a higher budget for 2026, with a significant increase in allocations for high-value crops such as sugarcane, onion, and coconut. While rice remains a priority under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), the DA chief noted it is time to “put emphasis on other agricultural sectors” to ensure balanced growth.

“Taking immediate action to establish these boards will have a lasting, positive impact on the country’s economic growth and food security,” the DA said.

NPO News Team I DA-PR