04 September 2013 - The Philippine Embassy in Brasilia participated in the 5th Agribusiness Immersion Program held in various cities and municipalities in 
Brazil on August 26 to 30. The Philippine delegates included Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Eva G. Betita and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Eric P. Valenzuela.
Organized by Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, the program showcased the best practices in Brazilian agribusiness and to develop closer ties between Brazil and the diplomatic community. It was the first time that the immersion program was opened to non-Brazilian diplomats. Aside from the Philippines, the program included diplomats from Indonesia, Thailand, India, Canada, New Zealand, Mexico and Mozambique.
From being an importer of food in 1960, Brazil has become a major exporter of agricultural products in recent years mainly due to technology and increased productivity. Since 2010, Brazil has been exporting its agricultural products to 212 countries and territories.
In his remarks during the opening ceremony of the program, Agriculture Minister Antônio Andrade of Brazil emphasized the need to assure and maintain the quality of the agricultural products in order to sustain economic growth.
The activities included field visits to a sugarcane plantation in Cosmopolis, São Paulo which produces raw sugar and ethanol, a food conglomerate in Chapecó, Santa Catarina and the wineries in Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande do Sul. The visits culminated in Expointer in Esteio, Rio Grande do Sul, the largest agricultural expo in Latin America.
The Philippine participation is in line with identifying and tapping business and technical cooperation opportunities between Brazil and the Philippines and ASEAN region, the Philippines being the current Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Brasilia. END
