PH, Brazil eye cooperation to boost sugarcane, ethanol industries
THE Philippines and Brazil are eyeing cooperation to boost sugarcane and ethanol production in the country.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said that delegates from the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) and the Embassy of Brazil in Manila met with department officials on Tuesday to discuss a potential partnership between the two countries to boost Philippine sugarcane and ethanol production.
Brazil recommended bringing a team of experts to the country to help expand sugarcane plantations, promote farm efficiency, improve production chains and lower production costs
“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,” the DA said.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Brazil is the world’s top sugar producer with approximately 22 percent of the total production.
Meanwhile, Laverne Olalia, Research Development and Extension Department manager of DA’s Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), said 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 the visit of its representatives to São Paulo, Brazil last January, Brazil’s best practices and innovations can be adapted to the Philippine setting.
Likewise, Agriculture 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 partnership between the Philippines and Brazil for the benefit of local sugarcane and ethanol industry players.
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