Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Advocates Urgent Modernization of Agriculture and Fisheries for Food Security

by Fishery News
Published: Last Updated on

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. underscored the critical importance of swiftly modernizing the agriculture and fisheries sector in the Philippines, in a pivotal address during the 70th founding anniversary celebration of the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF). Emphasizing the nation’s goal to become “food- and nutrition-secure,” President Marcos highlighted the immediate actions being taken to transform the agri-fisheries industry.

Addressing the gathering at the Salvador Escudero Hall of the National Meat Inspection Service in Quezon City, President Marcos, who also leads the Department of Agriculture (DA), detailed significant investments in large-scale agriculture and fishery mechanization and modernization. The DA has allocated PHP4.73 billion for these initiatives, with a more substantial allocation of PHP85.88 billion for the sector in 2023 and a proposed PHP92.4 billion in 2024.

President Marcos expressed optimism about achieving his vision for the modernization of the agri-fisheries industry, emphasizing the urgent need to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure optimal yields at affordable costs through efficient mechanization strategies.

The government’s commitment to increasing the exportation of agricultural products was acknowledged by President Marcos as a vital driver for the nation’s economic competitiveness. He reaffirmed his administration’s top priorities, which include enhancing agricultural productivity, securing the food supply, ensuring affordability, and reducing dependence on imports.

In his address, President Marcos extended a call for closer collaboration with the Federation of Free Farmers, recognizing its long-standing partnership with the government in areas such as agri-fisheries, agrarian reform, and agricultural cooperatives. He assured the organization of the government’s dedication to strengthening agricultural associations and cooperatives, providing beneficiaries with business and investment opportunities to improve their standard of living.

As one of the largest and most reputable organizations of farmers in the Philippines, the Federation of Free Farmers, established in 1953, has been at the forefront of advocating for the liberation of Filipino farmers from various forms of oppression. The organization enjoys a mass base of approximately 200,000 farmers and fisherfolk.

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