Philippines and Guinea-Bissau to Deepen Agricultural Cooperation and Sustainable Development Programs

15 January 2025, Bissau – Philippine Ambassador to Guinea-Bissau, Paul Raymund P. Cortes, called on Minister Fatumata Djau Baldé of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at the Palacio do Governo in Bissau to discuss opportunities for strengthening bilateral agricultural cooperation.

Ambassador Cortes highlighted the Philippines' key initiatives aimed at improving agricultural productivity, supporting farmers, and modernizing rural infrastructure, including farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, and cold storage facilities. He also shared the Philippines' expertise in modernizing agriculture, particularly in addressing climate change challenges, and improving agricultural practices such as seed quality, irrigation, and farm machinery.

Minister Baldé recognized the agricultural potential of Guinea-Bissau but noted the country's need for improved technology and training for its agricultural workforce. She also expressed a keen interest in collaborating with the Philippines to increase rice production and diversify into other crops, citing the importance of controlled irrigation systems to mitigate the impact of unpredictable rainfall caused by climate change.

As a way forward, Ambassador Cortes suggested sharing knowledge and best practices on improving productivity, boosting farmer incomes, and reducing post-harvest losses, which are key issues in both countries. He also offered to connect Guinea-Bissau's agricultural institutions such as the Ministry of Agriculture’s National Institute of Agricultural Research with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for possible cooperation.

Both sides discussed the possibility of establishing a government-to-government cooperation agreement and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to outline specific collaborative efforts. Minister Baldé committed to sending a draft MOU and expressed optimism about moving forward with the partnership. END