The Philippines has further strengthened its agricultural trade and investment partnership with the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and Lao Minister of Agriculture and Environment Linkham Doungsavanh signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Agricultural Cooperation in Vientiane on June 22.
“Agriculture today is no longer just about production. It is about food security, supply chain resilience, and economic opportunity,” Tiu Laurel said in a statement.
“Our partnership with Laos advances all three, creating a stronger foundation for trade, investment, and sustainable agricultural growth.”
The new pact modernizes a bilateral framework first established in 1998 and significantly widens the scope of collaboration to include strategic crops, climate-resilient farming, agricultural technology, research, postharvest systems, and sanitary and phytosanitary standards – areas increasingly critical as Southeast Asian economies grapple with food security challenges and supply chain disruptions.
The agreement also identified opportunities to expand trade in seafood, coconut products, coffee, corn, livestock, such as goats and carabaos, and other agricultural commodities, while committing to facilitate business missions and stronger links between Philippine and Lao enterprises.
A key area of interest is agricultural inputs, particularly potash fertilizers, where Lao holds significant resource potential.
The DA sees the partnership as an opportunity to secure more stable fertilizer supplies, considering the susceptibility of agricultural input costs to geopolitical and logistical shocks.
The meeting also resulted in the creation of the Philippines – Lao PDR Joint Committee on Agriculture, which will serve as the primary mechanism for implementing projects and monitoring progress under the agreement.
The committee is expected to oversee technical exchanges, capacity-building programs, joint research initiatives, and other collaborative activities.
The Philippines also offered to share expertise in agricultural mechanization and related technologies. (PNA)
