DA chief opens office for a dialogue with regional councils
AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. opened his office for a dialogue with regional councils, which gave him a clearer perspective on pursuing agricultural modernization.
Laurel on Monday, met a group from the agricultural and fisheries sector who offered recommendations and inputs about the real situation of the land.
Following the meeting, the DA chief announced that a 10-point agenda is now being finalized to address issues holding back the progress of the country’s farm sector and its stakeholders, particularly farmers and fisherfolk.
He said more infrastructures, including warehouses, seaports, food terminals, and roads, will be built to help bring down the cost of food when they reach consumers.
“The DA is also working towards digitalization and a thorough review of the minimum access volume to rationalize food importation,” he added.
Laurel also welcomed the private sector’s push for greater spending on agricultural infrastructure and mechanization to hasten the farm sector’s modernization, increase productivity, and ensure the country is food secure.
The recommendations presented by the councils were varied and included issues affecting the production of rice, fish, and other aquatic resources, poultry and livestock, corn and feed crops, high value crops including rubber and fiber crops, coconut, as well as domestic trade and mechanization.
Among the recommendations of the regional councils are the establishment of cold storage facilities for vegetables, including onions, as well as laboratories for biosecurity concerns and the construction of farm-to-market roads or other modes for faster movement of agricultural products.
