March 18, 2015
Daily Star | http://goo.gl/POvTms
Sugarcane industry leaders and stakeholders showed a unified stand in furthering the improvement and growth of the sugarcane industry, particularly in Negros Occidental, Administrator Ma. Regina Martin of the Sugar Regulatory Administration said in a press release yesterday.
Martin made the statement during the recent visit to the province of Undersecretary Michael Scuse of the United States Department of Agriculture.
“Scuse wanted to better understand and appreciate how the Philippine sugarcane industry is developing and on how we could better improve and assist our mutual trade relations,” she said.
Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. of Negros Occidental was among those present to welcome Scuse. The province delivers at least half of the country’s sugarcane production.
Sugarcane industry leaders and officials also present were from the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters, Confederationof Sugar Producers,United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines, and PANAYFED.
Scuse and his team from USDA also visited the Philippine Sugar Research Institute Foundation in Victorias City. Scuse lauded the research effort of PHILSURIN, which, he stressed, is essential at combating the threats of climate change.
He also shared with industry stakeholders some farming practices in the United States, the press release added.