The Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI) is calling on the Marcos Jr. administration to ramp up investments in high-value crops that have strong export potential, saying these commodities can generate millions of dollars for the Philippine economy while strengthening the country’s food trade.

With three years remaining in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term, PCAFI – an umbrella group of 48 agriculture industry associations – laid out a series of proposals focused on improving government support for high-value crops like coffee, cacao, okra, and calamansi, as well as developing fruit “districts” and bamboo plantations across the country.

Among its flagship recommendations is the allocation of P500 million to the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the planting of five million coffee trees nationwide. PCAFI also called for another P3 billion to support the industry through the construction of a coffee institute, an instant coffee facility, credit access for farmers, and trading hubs.

“We must aim to improve our yield per tree of coffee from 300 grams to 1 kilogram by providing training and new planting varieties,” PCAFI President Danilo Fausto said.

He also emphasized the urgency of appointing regional coffee focal persons and accelerating DA's accreditation of nurseries to promote competition and fair pricing.

P1-B push for cacao research and development

PCAFI is also urging the creation of a P1-billion cacao institute to serve as the industry’s research and development hub. Fausto proposed utilizing coconut levy funds for cacao intercropping initiatives and enhancing scientific capabilities through agencies like the Bureau of Agricultural Research and the DOST’s PCAARRD.

“We also recommend that research and development of cacao be undertaken… using the coconut levy funds in connection with the right technologies and innovation,” Fausto added.

The group likewise pushed for revisiting the Philippine Cacao Industry Roadmap to address persistent marketing and logistics bottlenecks.

Tapping the export potential of fruits and bamboo

To maximize the country’s dollar-earning crops, PCAFI recommends the establishment of fruit districts – clusters of production areas supported by processing and packing facilities for export-bound produce like mango, banana, and pineapple.

The group also flagged the untapped potential of bamboo, an industry that generated $30 million in exports back in 2009. PCAFI proposed a P100-million fund per region to jumpstart plantation development and rural livelihood programs.

Support for okra and calamansi

PCAFI stressed the need to assist okra growers in capitalizing on newly opened international markets. Citing Thailand as a model, the group suggested government subsidies for fertilizers, chemicals, and zero-interest loans to help farmers compete.

To avoid future export bans, PCAFI urged the improvement of local testing labs to ensure compliance with Japan’s chemical residue limits on okra.

“Okra growers need help with these same issues to expand their sales channel in Japan,” Fausto said.

Similarly, the group is calling for international geographic recognition for Philippine Calamansi to protect the name and assure global buyers that the product originates from the country.

“This is important because the Philippines is the main producer of calamansi in the world,” Fausto emphasized.

Preparing for durian exports to China

Finally, PCAFI raised concerns over China’s increasing scrutiny of imported durians due to the presence of Basic Yellow 2, a chemical contaminant. The group is urging the establishment of a regional laboratory in Region XII to test durians ahead of the peak export season from July to November.

“Thailand and Vietnam have been heavily affected as tons of durian exported to China have been rejected. We need to have the equipment in place before the onset of durian season,” Fausto warned.

PCAFI’s comprehensive set of proposals comes amid ongoing efforts to modernize Philippine agriculture and raise farmer incomes. The group hopes that with stronger public investment, Filipino farmers can better compete globally and contribute more significantly to the national economy.