THE Department of Agriculture (DA) recently forged a partnership with the Departments of Trade and Industry (DTI), Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Export Development Council (EDC) to seek new markets for the country's agricultural and fishery products abroad.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said the agreement will promote overseas the country's agri-fishery products like fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, marine products, meat products, root crops, natural fiber, horticulture, plantation crops, wood products, herbal products, and natural ingredients.

Under the agreement, the four signatories will pool their resources and efforts to expand existing markets and tap new ones for Philippine farm exports through the exchange of information pertaining to production, export and investment opportunities, market access issues, and expertise in promoting agri-fishery products.

The signatories will hold regular consultative meetings with stakeholders, undertake market research on potential export and investment opportunities and identify and negotiate possible sources of funds and technical assistance.

Yap said the DA's efforts to strengthen existing export markets and tap new ones for agricultural products is in step with its Five-Pillar program which covers higher public spending on infrastructure, technology and extension services, post-harvest and storage facilities, expanding access to rural credit, and opening new markets here and overseas.

Earlier, the DA, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Interior and Local Government signed Joint Administrative Order No. 1 to effectively carry out guidelines and enforce laws that will check against aquatic pollution and raise public awareness on the need to ensure the safe and satisfactory conditions of waters in aquaculture areas through proper waste management and sustainable practices. - Job T. Realubit