The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday said the country has secured a partnership with Cambodia to boost rice production and agricultural trade.

The two nations’ partnership is still in line with the food security targets under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

In a statement, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the memorandum of understanding (MOU) will be beneficial in exploring agricultural cooperation, especially for the country’s staple.

“Cambodia will gradually be an important agricultural trading partner as the country diversifies its markets, particularly for rice,” he said.

The MOU was signed on Feb. 11 during the official visit of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet to the Philippines.

Under the partnership, the DA will look into possible trade opportunities with Cambodia alongside other collaborations in “agricultural planning, animal feed development, animal health protection, irrigation management, and agricultural marketing systems,” as well as the “non-geographical Indication-protected plant commodities” exchange for innovation.

Exploration will include possible trade in rice, vegetables, and meat, according to the DA.

In 2023, the trade between the Philippines and Cambodia hit USD80.50 million, with USD20.40 million recorded for agricultural trade, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. (PNA)