Coconut farmers are poorest agri people
Coconut farmers are now the poorest people in the agriculture sector, much poorer than when they were 30 years ago. This was the assessment of Danny Carranza, a coconut farmer and member the Kilusan Para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo at Katarungang Panlipunan (Katarungan). (MB FILE, Keith Bacongco) Carranza blamed the coconut farmers’ poverty on the low copra prices, inability to intercrop and modernize, and now the COVID-19 pandemic, which isolates some of them who are living in far-flung areas. “If you’re going to compare, we are much poorer now than we were back in 1990,” said Carranza. Carranza said the “crisis in coconut” that started in the 1990s was never resolved, but even worsened especially when farmers failed to diversify and intercrop before copra prices, dictated by world prices, crashed in 2019 and in the previous years. “The price of copra is improving, reaching P16/kg from P8/kg last year, but that is still not enough,” Carranza said, adding that farmers’ income from a hectare of coconut plantation does not reach P10,000 anymore. At present, about 95 percent of the 3.5 million hectares of coconut farms in the Philippines are meant to produce copra, which is the material for coconut oil manufacturing. But with the collapse of the prices of coconut oil in the world market over the last two years, prices of copra have also dropped plunging farmers into deeper poverty. According to the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), prices of copra at farmgate as of October 15 stood at P21.86/kg, which is higher compared to P14.55/kg price level during the same day last year. But Carranza said that it normally takes three to four years for coconut farmers to recover when a typhoon hits their plantation because coconut trees don’t recover fast. Several typhoons have devastated coconut trees lately. “Farmers’ income is dictated by world prices, they don’t have enough funds to modernize their industry, and the government has failed to support them in the diversification of their coconut plantations,” Carranza said. “Then things got worse because of climate change. And then, because of lockdown, a lot of farmers who live in far-flung areas were isolated and couldn’t deliver their produce,” he added. In 2018, farmers working in coconut farms only received a daily nominal wage rate of P264, based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data. To alleviate the current situation of coconut farmers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced that it will soon distribute a P5,000 worth of assistance to coconut farmers, which will be withdrawn from the agency’s P24-billion stimulus package granted under ‘Bayanihan 2’. The problem, according to Carranza, is that the assistance may only benefit farmers who own 1 hectare of coconut plantations or less. The PCA is also setting aside a portion of its budget to finance on-farm and off-farm livelihood projects for coconut farmers such as intercropping and livestock. Meanwhile, Pambansang Kilusan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas (PKMP) Chairman Eduardo Mora said the legal team of Senator Bong Go pledged to help coconut farmers push for provisions that they want to be included in the Coco Levy Act, the proposed law that will pave the way for the release of the P100-billion coco levy fund. “It was the office of Senator Bong Go that informed us that the senate version of Coco Levy Act was already passed in third and final reading. But his legal team also assured to help us in the congress version of the law, in bicameral, and in the drafting of the IRR [implementing rules and regulation] of the law,” Mora told Business Bulletin. Mora’s group, which represents more than a hundred thousand coconut farmers in the country, has been calling for increased farmers’ representation in the planned coconut trust fund management committee. Coconut farmers also don’t want the funds to be handled by PCA, Mora said. Business Bulletin already sought for Agriculture Secretary William Dar’s reaction regarding the farmers’ opposition of the Coco Levy Act, but he hasn’t responded yet. .....»»
Govt. to boost agri, fishery sectors
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday underscored the need to address the systemic issues plaguing Philippine agriculture for years due to the longstanding neglect of this sector. During his speech at the 70th anniversary of the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) in Quezon City, Marcos Jr said the welfare of farmers and fisherfolk has been forgotten for decades, dating back to the inception of agricultural reform during his father and namesake's tenure. "We have a significant amount of work ahead of us because we need to fix the entire agricultural system that has been neglected for a long time, perhaps since the start of agricultural reform, during (the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s) time," Marcos Jr. said. "Now, many changes have occurred, the world has changed, and it has revolved several times. Therefore, we need to examine the needs of our farmers and fishermen to improve their lives because we often hear that we need to increase our yield, improve our harvest, and our productivity," he added. The latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that agricultural production in the country decreased by 1.3 percent during the year's second quarter. The figures unveiled by the PSA showed that the production value in agriculture and fisheries, calculated at constant 2018 prices, totaled P427.69 billion, a decline from the P433.10 billion recorded during the same period the previous year. Minimum wages for agricultural laborers in the Philippines vary by region, ranging from P306 in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to P573 in the National Capital Region. These wage rates, determined by tripartite boards, differ based on the specific region. “But let's not forget that the livelihood of our farmers and fishermen should also be taken care of and improved because that is our goal for all our farmers and fishermen,” Marcos said. Marcos emphasized the pressing need for his administration to boost the agricultural sector, with more than P92 billion set aside for upcoming agri-fisheries projects next year. Additionally, the Department of Agriculture has allotted P4.73 billion to improve large-scale agriculture and fishery mechanization and modernization, aiming to decrease post-harvest losses and cost-effectively enhance farmers' yields. However, the President underlined the enormity of the task ahead and called upon the public for their support and collaboration. "So, this is a massive task. That's why we need your help because the government alone cannot do all of this. We need your diligence, we need your advice because you are the ones facing the problems in agriculture that we are going through now,” Marcos said. “Rest assured, your government is here to do everything in its power to assist our farmers in producing a bountiful harvest, catching enough fish for our fellow citizens, and selling these products at prices affordable to our people,” Marcos added. The post Govt. to boost agri, fishery sectors appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
No new chief yet — Agri exec
Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban on Tuesday said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not discuss the appointment of a new Agriculture Secretary during their latest sectoral meeting. In a Malacañang Press Briefing, Panganiban said that he could not confirm the reports on appointing a new Agriculture Secretary and that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is doing an “excellent job” leading the department. Panganiban’s statement comes amid reports that President Marcos is considering appointing fishing tycoon Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. as the new Agriculture Secretary. Laurel is the chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “With (Marcos) at the helm, everything is integrated, and all government efforts are coordinated. We can no longer say to the Department of Agriculture, ‘This is your job, not ours.’ We are all collaborating now, and we are even talking to you in the media to work together because, once again, food security is not the responsibility of one agency alone but of all of us,” Panganiban said. “I think that’s what sets him apart from his predecessors,” he added. Panganiban also said that he could not comment on whether the rice price cap affected the Pulse Asia Survey results, which showed President Marcos’s approval rating declined in September. “I cannot comment on that one,” he said. “What I can say is that our President is truly committed to serving everyone. I believe he is the President for all, not just for the farmers but also for the consumers.” Panganiban also praised Marcos for his engagement with the public, saying that the President is the first one to really meet with the people and participate in rice distribution. “So, I think people can sense our President and his plans and programs. Hopefully, we can reciprocate that. Even for the media, I hope you can help us promote the good news, not just our problems but also what we are doing for our fellow countrymen,” he added. The post No new chief yet — Agri exec appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos: Free rice distribution to continue until prices normalize
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said the government will continue to distribute rice for free to Filipinos until prices stabilize, but that the goal is to normalize the situation so that market forces can take over. In a media interview with reporters after the distribution of rice in Siargao, Marcos said that the government has implemented various measures to stabilize rice prices, including price controls and the buying price set by the National Food Authority. "We will just have to – if we are able to stop all smuggling and hoarding, then there will be no need for us to provide it for free because prices will stabilize and remain stable, following the natural seasonal fluctuations," Marcos told reporters. After rice prices soared due to supply shortages, the government began distributing confiscated rice to Filipinos in several parts of the country for free. The President said the government is also implementing other measures to stabilize prices, such as price controls and purchasing rice from local farmers at a higher price. "All of these efforts are aimed at normalizing the situation to ensure that rice remains relatively affordable for Filipinos," Marcos said. "So, if we ever run out of seized and smuggled rice, that would actually be a positive sign, indicating that there is less smuggling and hoarding, and prices can be controlled." Marcos said that the government is also working on long-term solutions to ensure a stable supply of rice in the country. These include increasing rice production by expanding the area planted with rice and investing in new technologies, and reducing post-harvest losses. "We are also working on improving our rice storage and distribution system," Marcos said. "We want to make sure that rice is always available to Filipinos at a reasonable price." Meanwhile, Marcos said that distributing smuggled and hoarded rice to poor Filipinos is one of the steps the government is taking to alleviate hunger among Filipinos nationwide. "I am sure that you, the beneficiaries, will go home happy because you will receive a sack of 25 kilograms of rice each," Marcos said in his speech in Siargao. "This is something different, and I'm not sure if you've heard about it because, as the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, it is my duty to improve food supply and ensure that even though the supply is sufficient, the prices are fair so that the people are not burdened," Marcos added. Marcos also announced the launch of the "Walang Gutom" program, a food assistance program that will provide good, nutritious food to Filipinos. "We are also working to enhance rice production," Marcos said. "Not only rice but also corn, vegetables, high-value crops, all of these to make our food supply more resilient for our countrymen." The President also discussed the government's efforts to address the problems of smuggling and hoarding. "We have strengthened enforcement because these activities drive up the price of rice," Marcos said. "This has resulted in many warehouse raids where they couldn't prove the legality of their rice imports, so the government took over them, and the Bureau of Customs handled it. After that, since no legal proof of importation was provided, the rice was donated to the DSWD, which is now distributing one sack to each of you." Marcos said that the government is continuing to work to help Filipinos who are still struggling to recover from the pandemic and other challenges. The distributed rice in Siargao Island is part of the more than 42,000 bags of Jasmine rice seized by the BOC during its warehouse raid in Zamboanga City last May, which was later donated to the DSWD for distribution to the “poorest of the poor”. The post Marcos: Free rice distribution to continue until prices normalize appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nurturing agri growth: Marcos’ birthday wish
More people wish a head of State a happy birthday than typical, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will find as he celebrates his 66th birthday today. Wishes for good health and happiness and the success and accomplishment of all his commitments and obligations throughout his administration have flooded in. Before he spends his birthday in Singapore today, attending a summit and the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix, Marcos expressed his wish for an improved agriculture sector. In an interview with reporters, Marcos said he wants the sector to be more productive and resilient to climate change. He also expressed his wish for the government to understand the weather better so it could better help farmers. “(My birthday wish is) for (the) agriculture (sector) to improve and for us to know the real weather, whether it’s the wet season or dry season, so that we can help our farmers. That’s still my prayer up to now,” Marcos said. Marcos issued Executive Order 39, imposing a price cap on rice to control the soaring prices. He also gave the responsible government agencies the job of reducing the number of agricultural hoarders and smugglers. But he considers the “best” birthday gift the issuance of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 11953, or the New Agrarian Reform Emancipation Act. “As we chart a path towards a more self-sufficient and equitable Philippines, this administration reaffirms its commitment to enrich the lives of our farmers, ensure the rapid industrialization of our farmlands, and promote sustainable and inclusive growth in the countryside,” he said. He visited the Department of Agrarian Reform office in Quezon City to attend the release of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act and to sign the Executive Order extending the moratorium on the repayment of agricultural debts of farmer-beneficiaries. At the event, Daily Tribune asked government officials to present their birthday wishes for Marcos, who concurrently heads the Department of Agriculture. “May God give President Marcos Jr. good health and more wisdom as he leads our country to a brighter future,” said one senior presidential protocol officer. Amid the good wishes, others turned the President’s birthday celebration into a platform to remind him of the pressing matters he must address as the land’s highest official. “I am hoping for more fruitful years to come with Marcos’s administration, especially in easing the plight of the poor people and our (economic) situation,” one DAR employee said. Economic vision for the future As Marcos celebrates another year of life, he continues to chart his vision for the future of the Philippines. One key aspect of this vision is economic development. He has advocated for policies to spur economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction. His focus on economic issues resonates with many Filipinos who prioritize financial stability and opportunities for their families. In October last year, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said that Marcos’s performance in his first 100 days in office was commendable. Zubiri lauded the President’s choice of Cabinet members, particularly his economic team. He also noted the frequent Cabinet meetings called by the President, which he deemed a positive practice. Best Phl salesman The President, he said, is the “best salesman” for the Philippines, sending signals to investors that the Philippines is open for business and investment. For context, the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that approved foreign investment pledges grew by 27.8 percent in the year’s second quarter. The PSA data released on Tuesday showed that total foreign investments approved by investment promotion agencies during the period amounted to P59.09 billion from P46.26 billion FI in the same quarter of 2022. Vision for agriculture Marcos has made agriculture one of the top priorities of his administration. His extension of the moratorium on farmers’ repayment of their agrarian debts by two years has benefited them as they don’t have to make payments until 13 September 2025. “I have just signed an Executive Order for the two-year extension of EO 4, 2023, because other beneficiaries were not covered when the IRR was introduced and when we implemented the original EO’s moratorium,” Marcos said. While acknowledging these achievements, engaging in a broader discussion of his presidency is essential, recognizing both the positive strides and the challenges faced during his time in office. As with any political figure, President Marcos’ legacy is complex and multifaceted. The post Nurturing agri growth: Marcos’ birthday wish appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ARBO value-chain strategy offers solid ground for MASAGANA rice program
The value chain strategy for agricultural products, which the Department of Agrarian Reform piloted in 2013, particularly on farm clustering, marketing, and linking smallholders to providers of inputs and credit, would be a solid ground for the four strategies of the Department of Agriculture’s MASAGANA Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP). The DAR’s ARBO (Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization) clustering program, in partnership with Caritas’ Catholic Relief Service, was piloted in 2013 in Bukidnon (in three sites) and Misamis Oriental (two sites). Phase 1 involved linking ARBs with the corporate supply chain, which lasted until 2015, said Assistant Director Lita Rosales of DAR’s Bureau of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development. Then Phase 2—from 2015 to 2017—involved linking farmer smallholders to markets with microfinance. The sites involved in this phase expanded to 98. Phase 3 after 2017 (which was disrupted a bit by the pandemic) already covered 150 sites of clustered farms in practically the entire country, she explained. DAR’s mandate was always to work with ARBOs and clusters formed by them, which DAR linked with suppliers of farm inputs, corporate markets, and providers of farm machinery and post-harvest technologies. The DAR’s ARBO program covered farm clusters producing coconut, corn, sugar, cacao, coffee, livestock, poultry and fisheries, and even rice. With the MIRDP set to be fully adopted, the wealth of experience of ARBOs can hasten the learning curve of newly-organized clusters to be formed by the different attached agencies of the DA. These include the irrigators associations (both national and communal irrigation systems) of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the SWISAs (or small water irrigation systems associations) of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), and rice farm cooperatives registered with the Cooperatives Development Authority (CDA). Farmer-members of these groups must be registered with the Registry System for the Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) to avail of government interventions. The DA met with DAR and BSWM last 12 July to discuss how the clustering of farmers would be expedited and a follow-up meeting for this purpose has been set for 16 August. Since ARBOs are covered by the Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP) jointly implemented by the DA, DAR, and the Land Bank of the Philippines, they can avail of loans under the program and in turn, re-lend to eligible ARBs to finance their agri-production projects and activities. The APCP aims to achieve sustainable crop production and increase the incomes of ARBs and their households through the provision of credit and capacity-building assistance. The other DAR programs for ARBOs that could jibe with the thrusts and strategies of MIRDP are stocks and market liberalization, land reform (including the development of land markets), agro-processing and input supply channels, urban finance, and market institutions. MRIDP's MASAGANA stands for MAtatag (climate change adaptation or resiliency), SAma-sama (clustering and consolidation of farms), GAnado (motivated farmers in the rice value chain), and NApapanahon (digital transformation to improve farming practices and program implementation). "MAtatag" aims to boost farmers' climate change resiliency by adjusting the planting calendar during the wet season, shifting main production to the dry season, and promoting crop diversification and crop-livestock-fisheries integration using balanced fertilization, proper irrigation, and other climate-smart practices. "SAma-sama" seeks to create economies of scale by clustering farmers and consolidating farms at the barangay and municipal levels and converging interventions. They will be linked to millers and the NFA, enabling cooperation between farmers, millers, and government institutions to achieve better prices, better quality rice, and appropriate seed distribution. This, too, is the essence of "GAnado", or the value chain approach. "NApapanahon" supports the first three approaches by providing timely and accurate information for decision-making, making interventions digitally based, location-specific, and efficient. The MIRDP will support rice clusters with seeds, fertilizers, and soil ameliorants; training-related activities; credit programs and loan facilities; crop insurance; market assistance; irrigation projects (NIS, CIS, and Small Water Impounding Projects), production and post-harvest machinery and equipment and facilities. The post ARBO value-chain strategy offers solid ground for MASAGANA rice program appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SINAG: File charges vs agri smugglers, hoarders
A farmers’ group wants charges filed against people, including government officials, involved in smuggling, hoarding and price fixing of agricultural products......»»
Hurry up
Looking back to the first year of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration leads us to believe that he has pivoted out of his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte’s tight embrace of China and rebuilt friendships with old allies, particularly the US and Europe. In his official trips abroad to meet with leaders of other Association of Southeast Asian Nations, he never failed to be emphatic about the need to comply with international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Explicit appeals had also been made to European nations to support the enforcement of UNCLOS and the historic decision of the Arbitral Tribunal in the South China Arbitration (Philippines v. People’s Republic of China) of 12 July 2016 that unanimously favored our beloved Philippines in its dispute against Chinese claims on Philippine territorial waters. In rebuilding ties with the US, four more US bases were added to the existing five sites under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement or EDCA that was signed to bolster the Visiting Forces Agreement between the two countries. While we leave the wisdom of more EDCA sites to the security sector, which should prioritize the national interest above anything else, there is another equally important sector confronted by challenges. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration raised the El Niño alert, saying it may declare the start of the phenomenon this week as it expects it in the next two months with a probability of 70 percent. Defined as a climate phenomenon characterized by the abnormal warming of the surface waters of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, El Niño could have significant effects on global weather patterns, including on agriculture. Given that farmers, policymakers, and agricultural communities must monitor weather forecasts and adapt their practices to mitigate potential impacts, the President continues to take the lead in handling agriculture — a stand that has been met with askance by many, even among those in the government. Eyebrows were raised at the seeming inability to effectively address what bedeviled agriculture in the past year, including the ginormous prices of essential commodities like sugar, eggs, and onions, which at one point rocketed to as high as P700 a kilo. Behind the critical headaches in the agri sector are the already suffering Filipinos whose pockets are badly frayed by inflation rates, and farmers losing their only source of livelihood. A lingering controversy is the government’s addressing of the soaring rise in sugar prices through importation. In 2022, Sugar Order No. 4 was issued by the Sugar Regulatory Administration, giving the nod to import 300,000 metric tons of sugar. Who would forget that the denial resulted in the firing of SRA and DA officials, along with then-Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez? Likewise puzzling is the recent selection of just three entities to import 440,000 metric tons of sugar. It remains unclear who handpicked sugar traders All Asian Countertrade, Sucden Philippines Inc., and Edison Lee Marketing Corporation. Either way, it doesn’t look good and bears clarification. Everyone, including many of the President’s supporters, is clueless as to why, despite the myriad issues and problems that he has to attend to in all other sectors, a full-time secretary is yet to be appointed — someone who could give the department and the sector his/her full-time attention. Faced with the imminent threats of El Nîno, time is of the essence. Lowly Filipinos cannot afford to wait unprepared for the dry spell with shifts in rainfall patterns. Whatever it takes, it is crucial to act quickly, efficiently, and without delay. In the words of Albert Einstein, “We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.” To solve agricultural problems, we need to think beyond the existing mindset or approach that might have contributed to those problems in the first place. The post Hurry up appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Food policy: Food availability (3)
So far, I have discussed the first and second dimensions of food security which are accessibility and food utilization, respectively. Food availability refers to ensuring a steady food supply by improving domestic production, importing goods to cover production gaps, and creating buffer stocks/food banks. Food production, particularly in the agriculture and livestock sectors, requires infrastructure and financial support. The government should assist in providing efficient irrigation systems and environmentally compliant slaughterhouses to the farmers and animal breeders, respectively. According to Ivory Myka Galang’s Discussion Paper ‘Is Food Supply Accessible, Affordable and Stable? The State of Food Security in the Philippines’, “The government’s food security program was implemented to ensure the availability of food supply in mind.” As stipulated in the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997, in Section 4, food security is defined as “the policy objective, plan and strategy of meeting the food requirements of the present and future generations of Filipinos in substantial quantity, ensuring the availability and affordability of food to all, either through local production, or importation, or both based on the country’s existing and potential resources endowment and related production advantages and consistent with the overall national development objectives and policies. However, sufficiency in rice and white corn should be pursued.” Other laws aim to enhance further food production such as the Fisheries Code (1998), Philippine Technology Transfer Act (2009), Agricultural Fisheries and Mechanization Act (2013), and the Sagip Saka Act of 2019. There is also a law that aims to provide financial support to the agricultural sector such as the Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act (2009). To empower the local sector, EO No. 86 s1999 created the National Council on Food Security or NCFS during President Estrada’s time. The order also created the Councils for Food Security in the Provinces, Independent Component Cities, and Highly Urbanized Cities. The NCFS is constituted to act as an overall coordinating body in the formulation of policy guidelines and master plans and programs, as well as the implementation of projects that ensure the attainment of “the national vision, mission, goals, objectives and targets of a workable and sustainable Food Security Program.” Local and institutional initiatives to support the law have been expressed in programs such as Gulayan sa Paaralan, Gulayan ng Masa, Barangay Food Terminal”, and Tindahan Natin. A more robust program was later instituted aimed to eliminate hunger such as the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program in 2007 and the recent Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger in 2020. Regarding food importation, the recent policy considers this option only as a last resort. This strategy was expressed by then DA Secretary William Dar in a press release in 2020. Recognizing the fact that in the last 30 years, the Philippine import dependency ratio has been increasing, Secretary Dar clarified that this trend occurs because the agricultural production rate could not overtake the population growth rate. As regards food buffering, PD No. 1770, issued on 14 January 1981, created the National Food Authority and one of its functions is to ensure a steady supply of the country’s basic commodities such as rice. The NFA has been mandated to perform buffering activities, particularly on rice. It is required “to maintain its warehouses” rice stocks equivalent to 15 days of consumption for the entire country. The government is keen on improving the availability of food for the people. In January this year, the President stated that “The overreaching goals of this administration are to build an inclusive society where no one is hungry, where Filipinos live long and healthy lives and where they are provided by an environment built upon trust and security and where they can be innovative, remains smart, and responsive to the problems of the day.” Plans and programs are in place to achieve and realize these goals. The only things remaining are optimism, patience and trust from the people. The post Food policy: Food availability (3) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Panganiban lauds FFM
Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban over the weekend underscored the importance of Filipino food champions in the upliftment of Philippine agriculture as the first week of the 2023 Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month celebration ended last week. During the recognition ceremony of the agri-preneurs who participated in the first week of FFM, Panganiban expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders who continue to partner with the government in its food security agenda. In his message, Panganiban committed to fully supporting the yearly celebration which pays tribute to the invaluable contributions of the farmers and fishers in nation-building. “Kami po taon-taon ay nagpapaganap ng ganitong okasyon para malaman ng bansa na layon nating mapalawak ang ating ani at kita at hindi tayo umaasa sa traders na nagbibigay ng presyo sa ating mga produkto,” Senior Usec. Panganiban enthused. During the ceremony, DA, through its National Organic Agriculture Program and Halal Food Industry Development Program, recognized 17 halal and organic agriculture enterprises. The said enterprises, who also participated in the week-long bazaar held at the DA Central Office grounds, were: Muba-Arak Food Products; MS3 Agri-Ventures; Emerald Durian Palace; Ahya Coco Organic Food Manufacturing Corporation; Polangui Organic Kalamay and Muscovado Producers and Farmers Association, Inc.; Batangas Egg Producers Multipurpose Cooperative; Yakap at Halik Multipurpose Cooperative; Quezon Organic Agriculture Cooperative; Great Love Pharmaceutical, Inc.; T.P. Food Processing Corporation; Milis Agri Products; Lisbos Cacao Trading; Radin Food Products; Agripreneur Producers and Farmers Association; Rural Farmers Cooperative; and Bahaghari Global Food, Inc. DA Assistant Secretary for Administration Jane C. Bacayo, who also serves as Vice-Chairperson of the FFM 2023 Steering Committee, expressed his gratitude to the NOAP and the HFIDP for their contributions to the DA’s efforts in ensuring food and nutrition security in the country. By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 33, series of 1989, the FFM is celebrated every May to recognize the role of Filipino farmers, fishers, and agricultural laborers in the country’s agricultural and economic development. The second week of FFM will feature the crops subsector including rice, corn, high-value crops, coconut, sugar, and fiber. Livestock and poultry will take center stage in the third week, while fisheries will be highlighted on the fourth and final week of this year’s FFM celebration. The post Panganiban lauds FFM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ministry of Agriculture gets boost
The Department of Agriculture announced that it has earmarked at least P72.8 million to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform for the 2023-2026 implementation of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban and MAFAR Minister Mohammad Yacob signed a memorandum of agreement last 14 April to forge the partnership for the “Coconut-Based Coffee and/or Cacao Enterprise Development Project.” “It is an honor for me as senior undersecretary to sign this agreement and hopefully we shall be able to support whatever we can in as far as providing funds for the Muslim Mindanao,” Panganiban said. The senior DA official also expressed intentions of forging more partnerships with MAFAR for the improvement of the production of fruits and other high value crops for export. The C3EDP, which is one of the CFIDP components, will be implemented by the DA-High Value Crops Development Program and MAFAR to enhance the coffee and cacao industries under a sustainable environment, empower high-value crop producers, and improve the farmers’ income. “We are very fortunate na ang BARMM ngayon ay ramdam na ang support ng national government,” said Yacob. The C3EDP aims to support smallholder coconut farmers through intercropping with coffee and cacao, maximize use of coconut lands, increase the sufficiency of local coffee and cacao, develop community-based enterprises and capacitate farmers to conserve and protect the natural resources. Under the agreement, the yearly allocation for MAFAR is P13 million for 2023, P15.6 million for 2024, P18.2 million for 2025 and P26 million for 2026. It covers the provisions for farm improvements through diversification and/or intercropping with coffee and cacao including the provision of agri-inputs and technical assistance and the establishment or upgrading of processing plants, machinery and equipment. The 10 percent annual allocation from the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund under the Republic Act 11524 aims to consolidate the benefits due to coconut farmers and expedite the delivery of said benefits to attain increased productivity and incomes, alleviate poverty, achieve social equality, and rehabilitate and modernize the coconut industry. The post Ministry of Agriculture gets boost appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Opportunity to reform market economy
The crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic provides a singular opportunity to significantly reform the so-called free market economy that has been embraced by countries of different political shades and persuasions, from socialist China to capitalist America. Although it cannot be denied that the experiment with market-oriented economic policies by China has resulted in the liberation from dehumanizing poverty of hundreds of millions of people over the last 20 to 30 years, there continues to be scandalous disparity of income and wealth among those who have benefited from these reforms and those who have been left behind. The massive unemployment that has been caused by the lockdowns of economies all over the world has worsened the inequity in the distribution of income even in the most developed countries of Europe and elsewhere. The human sufferings that we are witnessing during the worst global economic crisis in 150 year should bring world leaders to finally come to their senses and listen to what Pope Francis has been saying about the limitations of the free market economy in respecting the dignity of each human person and in pursuing the common good of society. In The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis clearly states that “the dignity of each human person and the pursuit of the common good are concerns which ought to shape all economic policies. At times, however, they seem to be a mere addendum imported from without in order to fill out a political discourse lacking in perspectives or plans for true and integral development.” The Holy Father points out that growth in social justice “requires more than economic growth, while presupposing such growth.” it requires decisions, programs, mechanisms, and processes especially geared to a better distribution of income, the creation of sources of employment, and an integral promotion of the poor which goes beyond a simple welfare mentality.” In the publication “This Economy Kills,” authors Andrea Tornielli and Giacomo Galeazzi, inspired by the teachings of Pope Francis, enumerate the types of leaders who are needed for authentic human development in both developed and emerging markets. According to them, we need “men and women who look to the future, who are committed to pursue the common good and whose goal is not just the next election campaign. It requires men and women who not only look at the spread and stock market indices as indicators of the health of a country but inquire whether the younger generations have a job, a future, and hope; whether children have kindergartens and schools that can educate them by introducing them to reality; whether couples have the opportunity to buy a house; whether there are effective welfare programs available for the elderly; and whether those who still bet on the future by putting children into the world are justly taxed, rather than penalized. It requires men and women who are engaged in politics and work in institutions without corrupting themselves or letting others corrupt them, even managing perhaps to revive a minimum of esteem (which has never been so in decline) for that ‘highest form of charity’—that is, politics—in as much as it is exclusively committed to the common good and to the real lives of people, with special attention and dedication to those in difficulty, those left behind, those who are excluded and should be included.” We have in the above quote a program that should permeate the so-called new normal post-pandemic. What I have read so far about prognostications concerning the “new normal” are mostly about means, not ends. There is a lot of talk about the digital transformation that all economic sectors shall have undergone as a response to the changes in consumer lifestyle and business practices brought about by COVID-19. It asserted that digitalization will be a universal practice. Online purchases of practically all types of consumer goods and services; modes of payments; delivery of formal education and all types of skills training; banking practices; religious services; sports events; forms of entertainment; etc. These transformations, however, could occur without addressing the fundamental problem of great disparities in the distribution of income and wealth and may even exacerbate the problem of the poor if, for example, their children are further left behind because they lack the resources to participate in online learning. Although the means are also important, there should be greater emphasis in the transformation of the ends or objectives of the economic system. Our leaders should ask themselves how to make the structural changes necessary to reduce mass poverty (which has worsened during the many lockdowns made necessary by the pandemic). In more concrete terms, the economic system should be geared to providing more nutritious food to the poorest of the poor; better quality education and health care to the bottom 20 percent of the population; free health services to those who cannot afford them; socialized housing for the homeless; and well paying jobs for the unemployed and underemployed. The new normal should give the highest priority to providing the small farmers with what they need to eke out a decent living by providing them with the necessary infrastructures such as farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, post-harvest facilities, access to credit and other farm support services that have long been denied the Filipino farmers. I have always maintained that the first cause of dehumanizing poverty in the Philippines is the long-term neglect of rural and agricultural development. It is not a coincidence that 75 percent of those who fall below the poverty line are in the rural areas. Many of them are the beneficiaries of agrarian reform who, after being provided with one or two hectares of land, were completely abandoned to their own resources. They are the landless farm workers, the “kaingeros” (slush-and-burn farmers), and the subsistence fisherfolk. Hopefully, the shortage of food during the pandemic has made it crystal clear that food security should be on top of our economic objectives. Food security now and in the future can be made possible only by a significant increase in the productivity with which we use our agricultural resources. To be continued For comments, my email address is bernardo.villegas@uap.asia.....»»
Probe on online sale of smuggled onions sought
The rampant online selling of smuggled onions and other agricultural products must be investigated by the House of Representatives as it is detrimental to local farmers’ livelihood and consumers’ health, according to AGRI party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee......»»
ULAP lauds water supply program for poor LGUs
Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines president and Quirino governor Dax Cua lauded a government program that aims to help the poorest municipalities in the country have access to clean and stable water supply. “We in ULAP have always emphasized the need to address people’s basic right to water, in line with our commitment […].....»»
Minister MacAulay promotes Canada s world-class products in Malaysia and the Philippines
The Government of Canada is deepening ties in the Indo-Pacific region - a key market for Canadian farmers, fishers, and the agri-food sector. February 23, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada This week, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, visited Malaysia and the Philippines to strengthen regional partnerships and create ne.....»»
Minister MacAulay promotes Canada s world-class products in Malaysia and the Philippines
The Government of Canada is deepening ties in the Indo-Pacific region - a key market for Canadian farmers, fishers, and the agri-food sector. February 23, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada This week, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, visited Malaysia and the Philippines to strengthen regional partnerships and create ne.....»»
Usual suspects involved in onion supply, price manipulation – group
The same individuals who have been identified as involved in hoarding and manipulating the supply and prices of onions during the investigation of the House of Representatives and the Senate are the same people behind the current slump in farmgate prices of the bulbs, according to the head of a farmers’ group......»»
Farmers, fishers lauded for role in food security, agri productivity dev’t
Farmers, fishers lauded for role in food security, agri productivity dev’t.....»»
MPIC seals P5.3 billion Axelum acquisition
Tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan is betting big on agri-business with the signing yesterday of a P5.3-billion deal to acquire a stake in listed integrated coconut manufacturer Axelum Resources Corp......»»
Agri expo cultivates growth, opportunities
The Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) Davao Region Expo, called Kalambuan sa Kaumahan, brought together farmers and university students in Davao City. The event aimed to showcase the products and services offered by farmers in the region. Antonieta Arceo, Director III of DA-ATI Davao Region, highlighted the intensive agricultural training provided to farmers ahead of the expo, emphasizing the importance of developing their skills. Edgardo Haspe, head of City Agriculture's Office, emphasized the significance of the event in celebrating progress in the agricultural landscape. The expo featured top products like organic food, fruits, and fresh vegetables, as well as competitions such as a fashion designing contest using rice-based materials and a Quiz Bee. Additionally, DA-ATI-Davao Region announced opportunities for scholarships in agri-courses, aiming to instill a passion for organic agriculture among grantees. Applications for the Youth Scholarship Grants on Organic Farming for 2023-2024 are currently being accepted......»»
House leaders check SRP compliance
Speaker Martin Romualdez appealed to market vendors yesterday to follow the suggested retail prices of essential goods, which usually spike during the holiday season. Romualdez made the call following a surprise inspection at Farmers Plaza in Cubao, Quezon City, with Deputy Majority Leader for Communications Erwin Tulfo. The leadership of the House of Representatives has vowed to monitor markets to ensure compliance with the SRP set by the government to stop the overpricing of basic commodities, especially food. “Rice and other noche buena items must be affordable. Vegetables such as onions, garlic, tomatoes, cabbage, and others must be within the means of our countrymen,” Romualdez said. Conducting surprise market inspections, according to the Speaker, could prevent price gouging by retailers during the Yuletide season. It is also part of the oversight function of the House to combat inflation, he added. “The Christmas season is meant to be a time of giving and compassion, and we want to make sure that prices of goods are affordable to the great majority of our people,” Romualdez said. He said the prices of vegetables and meat remained steady, except for the cost of rice, which he said has gone up. Last week, the Department of Agriculture said the cost of well-milled and regularly milled rice will be pegged at P48 and P41 to P43 per kilo, respectively, in December. On the other hand, prices of several noche buena items, such as ham, fruit cocktail, among others, had gone up based on the Department of Trade and Industry’s price guide released last week. “We will continue the all-out war against profiteers preying on hapless consumers,” Tulfo said. In August, Romualdez, Tulfo and officials of the Bureau of Customs carried out a surprise inspection of several warehouses in Bulacan in the wake of a spike in the price of rice due to hoarding......»»