The regional agricultural and fisheries councils in the Philippines have proposed a range of measures to accelerate the advancement and modernization of the country’s agricultural sector, as announced by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
During a meeting with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., the councils submitted diverse recommendations encompassing key areas such as rice and fish production, livestock farming, high-value crops, and agricultural mechanization. The proposed initiatives include the establishment of cold storage facilities for vegetables, biosecurity laboratories, and the construction of farm-to-market roads to facilitate the swift movement of agricultural products.
Additionally, the councils advocated for increased investment in irrigation facilities, the creation of local nurseries and seed banks to ensure the availability of high-quality planting materials, and the formation of a dedicated Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
The councils emphasized the need for a data centre to provide timely agricultural statistics and urged the conversion of rice competitive enhancement funds into rice price subsidies. Mechanization of farm processes, expanded soil testing for optimized land use, the establishment of inland fisheries and hatcheries in upland areas, and the revival of direct farmer-market linkages via Kadiwa centres were also recommended.
Aiming to address these concerns, Agriculture Secretary Laurel welcomed the private sector’s call for greater investment in agricultural infrastructure and mechanization to expedite the modernization of the farm sector, enhance productivity, and ensure national food security.
Secretary Laurel revealed that a 10-point agenda is under development to tackle obstacles hindering the progress of the country’s agricultural sector. This agenda includes plans for the construction of additional infrastructures such as warehouses, seaports, food terminals, and roads to reduce food costs.
Highlighting the importance of digitalization and a thorough review of minimum access volume for rationalized food importation, Laurel emphasized ongoing consultations and committed to securing the necessary funds to address the submitted issues and recommendations from agricultural and fisheries councils nationwide.
The DA stressed the pivotal role of agriculture in providing jobs, accounting for four out of every ten positions in the Philippines. Despite this significant employment contribution, the sector’s share in the domestic economy remains below 10 percent. The DA anticipates that substantial improvements in the farm sector could result in increased job opportunities, faster economic growth, inflation control, and reduced reliance on imported agricultural products.
