Farm groups have appealed for more government actions that will address food security in the Philippines which marked the World Food Day yesterday.
Anakpawis said the government must overhaul agricultural policies and end liberalization to attain self-sufficiency.
The group said in a statement laws such as Republic Act (RA) 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act as well as RA 8550 or the Fisheries Code and RA 11203 or the Rice Liberalization Law, only promoted import liberalization and failed to increase productivity and self-sufficiency.
For the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), among the most beneficial moves the Department of Agriculture (DA) can do in the face of rising food prices are the following: return subsidized rice in the market through the National Food Authority (NFA); improve palay buying prices; provide P15,000 financial assistance to rice farmers; halt rice importation and; impose stricter penalties against smugglers of agricultural products.
“Food access is not just about availability or affordability of food. Farmers, fishers and food producers should be in the control of the production and the entire food systems. Our single biggest challenge now for (President Ferdinand) Marcos Jr. is for his administration to implement a pro-Filipino food system — impose protectionist policies on agriculture, grant full support to Filipino farmers and do away with agricultural trade liberalization and over-importation,” said KMP chairman Rafael Mariano, in a statement.
Meanwhile, Oceana said municipal and artisanal fisherfolks’ crucial role in the country’s food security must be recognized by protecting their welfare.
The group said in a statement 90 to 95 percent of municipal and artisanal fisherfolks’ fish catch are for human consumption.
“Indeed, fish is critical to nutrition and food systems and small fishers play a pivotal role in providing people and communities their daily food requirements,” said Rhea Yray-Frossard, Oceana campaign and research director.
Oceana added as small fishers are highly vulnerable to adverse impacts of climate change and the pandemic, there is a compelling need for government to provide them needed support and technical assistance.
Meanwhile, the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) signed a memorandum of agreement with the NFA and the Philippine Confederation of Grains Association (Philcongrains) to help rice farmers cope with the rising cost of production.
Under the agreement, SINAG together with Philcongrains pledged to purchase around 7.5 million metric tons (MT) of palay this harvest season or more than 90 percent of the projected 8 million MT production for the current harvest season.
The parties said their members will buy palay at P19 to P20 per kg for a total amount of up to P150 billion while the NFA will lend its warehouses, post-harvest facilities and personnel support.
SINAG said it is optimistic about the agreement that will last until January 15 in encouraging rice farmers to continue planting. – Jed Macapagal
