The DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) joined the Philippine Delegation in the regional workshop on “Indo-Pacific Symposium on Trade and Sustainable Agriculture” held in Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on November 4-5, 2025. This event was designed to exchange experiences and effective practices in sustainable agriculture across Indo-Pacific nations, explore how trade intersects with agricultural sustainability efforts, and build a common understanding of shared principles and approaches for sustainability in the region’s agricultural sector.

The first day focused on Trade, featuring four key sessions: Intersessions of Trade and Sustainability; Agricultural Sustainability and Open Markets; Building Trust in Contested Spaces; and Sustainability, Climate, and Agricultural Emissions. The second day centered on discussions on how agriculture can be both sustainably profitable and productive, as well as the future of policies that support sustainable agrifood systems.

The afternoon session of Day 2 was a half-day technical workshop that explored the use of evidence-based metrics to evaluate the sustainability of agricultural practices. Soil was presented as an example of a key indicator, with discussions on its application across supply chains, including related challenges, potential solutions, and possible approaches. Participants were divided into groups to discuss these ideas and present their insights to the plenary. Ms. Cathlyn Joy Dela Torre also highlighted the Philippine experience on soil management, particularly the National Soil Health Program.

Philippine contingents were Mr. Rainier Casis of Philippine Embassy in Canberra; Dr. Roehlano Briones of Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS); Ms. Hazel Ann L Alforja of Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev); Dr. Arvin Vista of University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB); Ms. Tisha Pia E. de la Rosa of Policy Research Service; Department of Agriculture (DA-PDS); Engr. Karen Marte of DA-Monitoring and Evaluation Division (DA-MED); Ms. Cathlyn Joy P, Dela Torre of DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM). Private sectors include Ms. Norie Bermudez of Aboitiz Foods and Mr. Raul Montemayor of Federations of Free Farmers’ Cooperative. 

This workshop was organized by the Australian Government – Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).  | Via Ms. Cathlyn Joy P. Dela Torre, Planning Officer

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