Poland Explores Agricultural Cooperation with DAR

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III warmly welcomed the visiting delegates from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Poland, led by Secretary of State Michal Kolodziejczak, seeking to expand relationships and enhance cooperation in the agricultural sector between the Philippines and Poland on September 4, 2024, at DAR Central Office, Quezon City.

As part of the ongoing efforts to explore opportunities for collaboration in agricultural development, Estrella emphasized in his message the importance of international partnerships in advancing the Philippines’ food security programs and agrarian reform initiatives.

“We are very thankful today that we are able to find a ‘friend’ that will help every one of us bring out the best in Polish and Philippine agriculture and ensure our food security programs. Perhaps once we work out a mutual agreement between our countries, then I think we will be able to learn and apply these learnings that will benefit our farmers,” Estrella said.

The discussions between the two parties centered on various initiatives, including potential cooperation with agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) communities, exchange of farm produce in the Polish and Philippine markets, and mitigation strategies for climate change and African Swine Fever (ASF) in the farming communities. These collaborative efforts aim to bring mutual benefits to both nations particularly in enhancing the livelihoods of farmers and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices.

Kolodziejczak expressed Poland’s keen interest in “looking for friends”, forging strategic partnerships that could benefit farming families in both countries.

“We are here to expand the relationships that we already have. The situation of farms and land-owning has been changing throughout the years. Your farmers face similar problems as Polish farmers. Today, I am the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture but I am also an active farmer. So the problems faced by farmers are very close to my heart, not just the farmers in Poland but around the world including the Philippines. It is very important to build safety, and safe relationships as well as