November 3, 2009

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced in the Philippines that the USDA will provide $8.5 million in disaster aid for the victims of the recent typhoons in the Philippines. The $8.5 million assistance is under the USDA Food for Progress Government to Government Program, wherein food is expected to be provided to an estimated 438,000 people for two months. The USDA assistance includes some 7,000 metric tons of U.S rice and 680 metric tons of non-fat dry milk, which will be processed into Ultra High Temperature milk and biscuits to be distributed to the flood victims.

Vilsack was in the country October 24-27, 1009, for a U.S. Trade and Investment Mission (TIM), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s first in Southeast Asia.

The Philippines is the largest recipient of USDA food aid programs in Asia. This year alone, USDA signed three Food for Progress agreements with the Philippines amounting to $25 million. The PVOs implementing these awards are Land O’Lakes, Catholic Relief Services and ACDI/VOCA.

Vilsack also expressed the U.S. government’s strong commitment to further fostering strong ties with the Philippines in the area of agricultural trade.

“We at USDA are very committed to continue this trade effort [through] bilateral agreements, breaking trade barriers and multilateral agreements. We are committed as this administration is committed to trade,” he said.

He said stronger trade relations between the U.S. and the Philippines will not only make an impact on both countries but will also create economic opportunities that will impact the farmers.

Vilsack explored trade opportunities and encouraged various U.S. industries to invest in the country’s sectors, including biofuels, beverages, processed goods, dairy products, meat and poultry, agricultural machinery and equipment.

Among the agribusiness companies that form the trade contingent were Agri-Ima GIS Technology; American Trading Services, LLC; Cargill, Inc.; Eco Vative Resources; Garuda International; Hima International; Intervision Foods; Kraft Foods; Land O’Lakes, Inc; Novick Industries Ltd.; The Alan Group; U.S. Fed Group; Valmont Industries, Inc; and Verdant Ocean, Inc.

Land O’Lakes Country Manager Yawar Naeem attended the USDA trade and investment mission and had the opportunity to update Secretary Vilsack about Food for Progress project in Philippines and thank him for USDA's continued support for development projects around the world.  He appreciated Land O’Lakes work and encouraged the company to keep supporting the small farmers in the developing world.  FAS Deputy Administrator Patricia Shiekh, also present during the occasion, praised the efforts of Land O’Lakes to improve the livelihoods of dairy and livestock farmers in Philippines and other developing countries.

At a dinner on October 26 hosted by Philippines Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Naeem briefed the Vilsack and U.S. Ambassador to Philippines Kristie Kenney about the Land O’Lakes project in Philippines and upcoming activities for the farmers in Mindanao. They greatly appreciated Land O’Lakes International Development’s work and encouraged Land O’Lakes to do its best to improve the livelihoods for these poor rural communities.  

Below: U.S. Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack and Land O’Lakes Philippines Country Manager
Yawar Naeem at USDA dinner reception in the Philippines, October 25, 2009.