Attaining food security
UNKNOWN to many, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has been involved in the national government’s efforts to achieve food security.
Food security, along with economic recovery, employment, and peace and order, is one of the top priorities of the Marcos’ administration, like previous governments.
In fact, President Marcos, in his maiden speech at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in September last year, underscored the need to invest in food security.
In his well-applauded speech, the highly-articulate Chief Executive from Ilocos Norte declared that food security is the very basis of human security.
He said “we need to take concrete steps towards modern and resilient agriculture for food is not just a trade commodity nor is it just a livelihood,” pointing out it is an “existential imperative.”
Aware of the importance of food security, the TESDA, headed by Director-General Danilo Cruz, trains farmers and their dependents under its “Rice Extension Service Program (RESP).
And records show that a total of 53,221 farm workers have completed agriculture-related training courses under said program.
Eastern Visayas posted the highest number of graduates, with 6,056, followed by Central Luzon and Western Visayas with 5,263 and 4,797 graduates, respectively.
Certainly, TESDA is on the right path in prioritizing agriculture courses to upskill farm workers and their dependents and help the country achieve food security and independence.
It’s a move in the right direction as the Marcos government continues to find ways and means to uplift the living conditions of the people, who are mostly farmers and fishermen.
