Consular Processing: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Press Release
CONSUL GENERAL MEETS WITH NORTH DAKOTA DEPUTY AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER, EXPLORES EXPANDING AGRICULTURAL TRADE AND COOPERATION
Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano met with North Dakota Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Tom Bodine, together with Mr. Craig Kleven, Dirctor of Industry Relations of the North Dakota Soybean Council; Mr. John Schneider, Director of the Business, Marketing & Information Division of the Department of Agriculture; and Ms. Shanna Johnson, Director of International and Domestic Marketing of the Department of Agriculture. The Consul General was accompanied by Consul Ella Karina Mitra and Mr. Richard Osea.
During their meeting, Consul General Diano underscored the Philippines’ growing demand for soybeans and soybean meal, particularly for use in the country’s poultry, livestock, and aquaculture industries. She noted that while the Philippines is already a top importer of US soybean, there is significant room to expand current trade volumes with North Dakota.
The Consul General also proposed collaborating on agricultural modernization and mechanization, recognizing that North Dakota's advanced farming technology and equipment expertise as valuable resources that could significantly enhance Philippine agricultural productivity and operational efficiency.
Lastly, Consul General Diano extended an invitation for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture to conduct a trade mission to the Philippines. This initiative would facilitate direct engagement between North Dakota agricultural businesses and Philippine partners.
Deputy Commissioner Bodine and his team expressed strong interest in exploring concrete avenues for enhanced agricultural collaboration between North Dakota and the Philippines, and agreed to pursue further discussions on concretizing these partnership opportunities.
Photo 2: Consul General Diano (2nd from left), accompanied by Consul Ella Karina Mitra (leftmost)
meets with Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Tom Bodine (4th from right) and his team to discuss
strengthening agriculture partnership between the Philippines and North Dakota.
Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano met with North Dakota Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Tom Bodine, together with Mr. Craig Kleven, Dirctor of Industry Relations of the North Dakota Soybean Council; Mr. John Schneider, Director of the Business, Marketing & Information Division of the Department of Agriculture; and Ms. Shanna Johnson, Director of International and Domestic Marketing of the Department of Agriculture. The Consul General was accompanied by Consul Ella Karina Mitra and Mr. Richard Osea.
During their meeting, Consul General Diano underscored the Philippines’ growing demand for soybeans and soybean meal, particularly for use in the country’s poultry, livestock, and aquaculture industries. She noted that while the Philippines is already a top importer of US soybean, there is significant room to expand current trade volumes with North Dakota.
The Consul General also proposed collaborating on agricultural modernization and mechanization, recognizing that North Dakota's advanced farming technology and equipment expertise as valuable resources that could significantly enhance Philippine agricultural productivity and operational efficiency.
Lastly, Consul General Diano extended an invitation for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture to conduct a trade mission to the Philippines. This initiative would facilitate direct engagement between North Dakota agricultural businesses and Philippine partners.
Deputy Commissioner Bodine and his team expressed strong interest in exploring concrete avenues for enhanced agricultural collaboration between North Dakota and the Philippines, and agreed to pursue further discussions on concretizing these partnership opportunities.
Photo 2: Consul General Diano (2nd from left), accompanied by Consul Ella Karina Mitra (leftmost)
meets with Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Tom Bodine (4th from right) and his team to discuss
strengthening agriculture partnership between the Philippines and North Dakota.