PH, Hungary agri chiefs hold bilateral meeting

The highlight of the event was the signing of memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation that will reinforce the positive engagements between the two countries especially in the field of agriculture. (PNA Photo)

MANILA — Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol and Hungary’s Minister of Agriculture Dr. Istvan Nagy on Wednesday met to discuss emerging opportunities in the agriculture sector and how they can lead to stronger trade and investments ties.

Piñol said issues discussed in the bilateral meeting were market access concerns and the proposed cooperation in the field of crops and livestock biotechnology research, food safety, and agricultural mechanization.

The highlight of the event was the signing of memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation that will reinforce the positive engagements between the two countries especially in the field of agriculture.

A joint working group will be formed that will monitor the implementation of the MOU, Piñol said.

Both countries also agreed that many untapped opportunities exist in the agricultural sector that could prove mutually beneficial.

Piñol said the Philippines would like to diversify its export to Hungary in the form of high value coconut products, fishery products, fresh mangoes, fishmeal, copra meal, and seaweed-based animal feeds, carrageenan, and abaca.

On the other hand, Hungary is planning to increase its export of poultry meat products to the Philippines.

While in the Philippines, the Hungarian Minister of Agriculture is scheduled to visit the Philippine Rice Research Institute, Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, and the Philippine Carabao Center in Nueva Ecija.