P/$ rate closes at P41.91/$ 1.
The peso exchange rate closed unchanged at P41.91 to the US dollar yesterday at the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. (PDEx) from P41.91 the previous day. The weighted average rate depreciated to P41.929 from P41.875. Total volume amounted to $ 499.65 million. Hybrid rice seed subsidy set...

DA to build acclimatization facility for ornamental fish.
Byline: MARVYN N. BENANING The Department of Agriculture (DA) is setting its sights on developing what it says is the world's first acclimatization facility for freshwater ornamental fish like koi, angelfish, and guppies, which it believes would significantly increase the country's share in the lucrative, $ 500-million...

DA chief insists Arroyo must stay to sustain economic growth.
Byline: MARVYN N. BENANING Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has come to the defense of President Arroyo, saying she must step down only in 2010 so that the "upward trajectory of the domestic economy" can be sustained. "The continued high growth not only of the farm...

Lim starts move to transform Boy's Town into 'food basket'.
Byline: Roy C. Mabasa and Natalie Jane Malayo Seeing the potential of Manila Boy's Town as a possible "food basket"' for Metro Manila and nearby areas, Mayor Alfredo Lim has sought the help of the Department of Agriculture to initiate a program that would expand the institution's...

P/$ rate closes at P41.975/$1.
The peso exchange rate closed lower at P41.975 to the US dollar yesterday at the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. (PDEx) from P41.93 the previous day. The weighted average rate depreciated to P41.954 from P41.953. Total volume amounted to $ 324.5 million. BSP rates kept unchanged ...

DA pushes development plan for fibers to boost rural growth.
Byline: MELODY M. AGUIBA The Department of Agriculture (DA) has come up with a development plan for the local fiber including those for the barely tapped silk which has the potential to spur rural village growth. DA and its attached agency Bureau of Agricultural Research...

No rice shortage with stocks good for 57 days -- DA.
Byline: MARVYN N. BENANING Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has brushed off fears of an impending rice shortage while claiming that there are enough stocks for 57 days. Yap's assurance came in the wake of reports that Vietnam had banned rice exports until next month to...

First North Dakota Farmer Will Apply for State License to Grow Industrial Hemp This Week.
BISMARCK, N.D., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- North Dakota's Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson will accept the first application from a farmer who qualifies for an Industrial Hemp license this week. The license, which is expected to be granted, would go to farmer and North Dakota Assistant House Majority Leader David...

USDA Decision Clears Path for Year-Round Availability of the Flavorful UglyRipe(R) Tomato.
Consumer-Driven Decision Means Mid-Summer Tomato Taste in the Middle of Winter WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has intervened in the national debate over the UglyRipe(R) tomato, freeing the heirloom beefsteak variety tomato from the shape restrictions imposed by the Florida Tomato...

Desi rating for MNC seeds.
Byline: Rajat Guha & Mayur Shekhar Jha NEW DELHI: Private seed makers like Monsanto, Bayer and Novartis may soon have to get their seeds tested mandatorily by accredited rating agencies prior to registering them. Bowing to the opinion of a parliamentary standing panel submitted in...