Manila, Feb. 28 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) is eyeing to expand oil palm plantations in Mindanao to curb imports, raise farm incomes, and strengthen the country's edible oil supply.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., in a news release on Friday, said they plan to significantly increase funding for the fledgling sector to PHP1.2 billion in 2027 after this year's proposed PHP1 billion allocation was slashed to just PHP79 million.

He said the increased funding would bankroll fertilizer assistance, accelerate area expansion, and boost farm productivity, underscoring a renewed push to scale up the industry.

"Let's invest where farmers earn," Tiu Laurel said, framing palm oil development as part of a broader push to a...