The Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) anticipates continued collaboration with Brazil on projects that will boost both countries’ sugarcane and ethanol industries.
DA said delegates from the Brazilian Cooperation Agency and the Embassy of Brazil in Manila met with its officials on Tuesday, to discuss partnerships.
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.
Brazil also offers academic programs related to the sugarcane industry and the incorporation of ethanol in the national energy grid.
Laverne Olalia, SRA research development and extension department manager, said the Philippines can learn from Brazil’s best practices on soil development and management as well as from its mealing practices and farm technologies to improve local production.
Olalia said based on the SRA’s observations during its visit to Sao Paulo last January, Brazil’s best practices and innovations can be used in the Philippine setting.
