Philippines may buy Pakistani Oranges?

According to this report, the Philippines may begin importing oranges from Pakistan. It seems that Philippine producers are unable to satisfy local demand for oranges and can only find the oranges they desire in Pakistan. This is a sad thing for local producers in the Philippines. Agriculture is again letting the economy down.

Agriculture is an important segment of any economy and any country wanting to achieve economic independence needs to build up a vibrant agricultural sector. That means feeding the population and not importing those requirements from other countries. A country can not satisfy all of their agricultural needs without the need for imports, but a good agricultural sector can become a net food exporter, meaning maybe exporting rice but importing wheat, etc. As long as the net value is positive, the economy benefits.

Across the board, the Philippines imports food, rice from Thailand, beef from India and now oranges from Pakistan. The government is expending a large effort to attract foreign investment and is trying to build a large manufacturing base, but they neglect the true engine of growth, the agricultural. Remember if it isn’t mined then it is grown. When will enlighten leadership capture the leadership of the Philippines?