The Philippines has expanded its exportation of “okra” or lady’s fingers to South Korea to help provide additional income to Filipino farmers and agripreneurs during the pandemic.
The Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with the Philippine Okra Producers and Exporters Association (POPEA) led the first-ever shipment of fresh okra to the Republic of Korea, marking a milestone for the country’s agricultural sector.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) reported it carried an initial export of 1,800 kilograms of okra from Manila to Seoul, Korea on June 6, 2021.
“This will really strengthen our efforts to support the high-value crops not only for local consumption but for exports. Export development and promotion is one of our key strategies in the DA so that the farmers and agripreneurs involved will have more income at the end of the day,” Secretary of Agriculture William Dar said.
“The quality of produce will be maintained, and the volume will be there because of consolidated farming,” Secretary Dar adds.
The DA said the okra exports were sourced from POPEA member companies which include the Hi-Las Marketing Corporation and the Jelfarm Fresh Produce Enterprise of Tarlac.
The Jelfarm Fresh Produce Enterprise earlier led the way in okra exportation to Japan, sustaining agricultural-business and supporting the livelihood of Tarlac farmers.
Both producers of fresh okra for export to Japan and Korea strictly comply with sanitary and phytosanitary requirements and Good Agricultural Practices.
Filipino social enterprises have been helping farmers get food to consumers in Metro Manila while the edible landscaping starter kits of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) are helping families secure their food source with home gardens amid the health crisis.
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