Efforts are being made by China to boost potato acreage and transform the crop into the country’s fourth staple food after rice, wheat and corn, according to Yu Xinrong, vice-minister of agriculture
Crops
Proposed bill aimed at boosting palm oil sector in Philippines

The centre will design and implement local and foreign scholarships and fellowship programmes on the academic fields that will enhance palm oil development. (Image source: Ryan/Flickr)
A Filipino official has filed a bill that seeks to improve and promote the palm oil industry by establishing a Palm Oil Research, Development and Extension Centre in Mindanao
Indian tyre makers to help local rubber farmers
In a bid to arrest the price fall in India, 17 India-based tyre companies have agreed to procure natural rubber from domestic market at 25 per cent rate higher than the international price
Vietnam bans Australian fruit and vegetable imports

Australia is among the top five largest fruit exporters to Vietnam besides China, the USA, New Zealand and South Africa. (Image source: Kerry J/Flickr)
Vietnam has stopped issuing import permits for Australian fruit and vegetables for 2015, citing concerns about fruit fly
Cambodia and China sign deal to set up agricultural promotion centre
Cambodia and China have signed an agreement to establish a Cambodia-China Agricultural Promotion Centre to help the Southeast Asian nation develop agriculture sustainably