IT may be late in the day but the Department of Agriculture (DA) just has to take steps needed to increase the nation’s food production, or be perpetually tied to the unstable policy of importation. These steps would require the building of agricultural infrastructure, both permanent and sturdy to last for years to come. Previous administrations recognized the need for these engineering interventions, and had in fact tried to provide them, without success.
Now, the DA under Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is renewing efforts to construct these projects that are badly needed by our farmers if they are to provide the nation’s food requirements, let alone compete with agricultural producers abroad.
‘Never has the DA been so lucky to receive this kind of support from Congress and the President, until now.’
The DA has formed three teams within the department to oversee the undertaking of infrastructure projects that would hopefully boost food production nationwide. The teams will draft the framework and plans for the proposed post-harvest program for rice and corn, solar-powered cold storages, and proposed solar-powered irrigation systems.
Laurel estimated that the government needs to spend about P93 billion to build the post-harvest facilities for rice and corn needed to minimize wastage, and at least P1 billion to build cold storages for vegetables.
The DA, which used to be headed by President Bongbong himself, has been receiving significant increases in its budget for operations and its sub-programs since the start of the Marcos administration. For the fiscal year 2024, it has an allocation of P197.84 billion, which represents a 6 percent increase from the previous year’s budget allocation of P186.54 billion. Never has the DA been so lucky to receive this kind of support from Congress and the President, until now. Thus, the department must show palpable results in terms of genuine agricultural growth, not just top efficiency in spending.
It is incumbent on the Department of Agriculture to flesh out President Marcos’ objective of continuing “the upward trajectory of agricultural output and meet our Philippine Development Plan (PDP) goal of increasing the Philippines’ food security index.” He said this may be achieved by increasing funding for the national programs of the DA on rice, corn, livestock, and high-value crops, among others.
Even the Department of Budget and Management headed by Secretary Amenah Pangandaman is very much supportive of the President’s food security objective. She said, “In our quest for food security and proper nutrition for Filipino families, the FY 2024 NEP (National Expenditure Program) will continue to support programs that boost the local production of major agricultural commodities.”
She added that the NEP focuses on enhancing productivity and sustainability, ensuring soil resource management, providing agricultural support services, constructing farm-to-market roads, and mitigating El Niño risks through the buffer stocking program.
Recognizing the importance of synergy in government programs, Secretary Laurel promised that they will ensure the projects are compliant with the requirements of the DA-wide project clearing house system and the National Economic and Development Authority-Investment Coordination Committee. Laurel also instructed the solar-powered irrigation project team to ensure that the proposed sites are consistent with the database of the National Irrigation Administration and with the Bureau of Soil and Water Management irrigation masterplan.
The DA’s National Rice Program has P30.9 billion in its disposal to boost rice production nationwide, while P10 billion is allocated for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund which provides assistance to farmers through rice seed development, loan provision, and the procurement of agricultural equipment. With these funds, coupled with the coming infrastructure projects, there should be no reason for the DA to fail in attaining self-sufficiency in rice, the staple food of Filipinos.
