PH farmers, fishers
THE government, through the Department of Agriculture (DA), would do well to focus its assistance on the country’s farmers, fishermen and other agricultural producers.
As a well-meaning Filipino, we cannot overemphasize the importance of the government helping the farmers and fishers, who comprise the bulk of the Philippine population.
In fact, no less than Senator Grace Poe said that “we must improve the conditions of our farmers and help increase their productivity if we are to realize inclusive growth.”
Poe said the agriculture department, headed by Secretary William Dar of Ilocos Sur, should help our farmers and fishers instead of going all out in its support for importers.
The highly-articulate lady lawmaker made the statement followng Dar’s claim that the country’s food security is stronger and the agriculture sector is on track to prosperity.
Last June 29, the DA issued Memorandum Circular No. 13 providing grants of up to P5 million for warehouses and cold storage facilities.
Marginalized farmers and fishermen, on the other hand, were just given P5,000 ayuda (assistance) in November and offered loans of only up to P25,000.
“At a time when borders across the globe are again closing, we need to strengthen our own production of food and aspire for self-sufficiency as most countries have been doing since last year,” said Poe.
Like fighting illegal drugs, graft and corruption and criminality, attaining food security should also a focus of the authorities during the remaining months of the Duterte presidency.
And let’s exert every effort to modernize agriculture if we are to win the battle against hunger and poverty.
