US sends trade mission to Davao, Manila

The US government sent its first Agricultural Technology Trade Mission to Davao City and Manila to explore trade and investment opportunities that will help support the resiliency of the Philippine agricultural supply chain.

Nine American companies and one US state university formed part of the trade mission here from September 28 to October 4.

“Agriculture cooperation is central to the story of the U.S.-Philippine relationship as Partners in Prosperity,” US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said:

The delegation brought a mix of the latest innovations in agriculture technology (precision agriculture, digital farming, genetic), postharvest infrastructure and irrigation facilities, farm mechanization, agricultural chemicals, IT-enabled services for agriculture, and animal feeds, among others. Nash B. Maulana

Particularly, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has been cited in the meetings of the US trade mission with Philippine officials on the “importance of collaboration in achieving food security and strengthening the Philippine agriculture industry, especially in BARMM,” and Embassy stamen said.

The U.S. trade mission was led by the U.S. Commercial Service and participated by Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Aviagen Inc., Cargill, John Deere, PepsiCo, Sukup Manufacturing, Valmont Industries, Veea Inc., Viasat, and Northwest Missouri State University.

During their meetings, trade mission members discussed the importance of collaboration in achieving food security and strengthening the Philippine agriculture industry, especially in BARMM.

The trade mission met with the National Food Authority, Department of Finance, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Department of Information and Communications Technology.

While in Davao City from September 28 to 30, the trade mission met with government leaders from Davao City led by Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr., representatives from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), local industry players, and business associations.

During their visit to Manila from October 2 to 4, the trade mission met with Department of Agriculture Senior