EconomyForex

Marcos says agri ambitions go beyond self-sufficiency

1 Mins read
PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said on Thursday that his goals for agriculture go beyond achieving self-sufficiency, and extend to making the Philippines a global leader in food production.

“The work to improve our agricultural sector and improve the plight of our farmers and fisherfolk has only just begun. We need to continue to open more opportunities to improve their wellbeing,” he said at a trade show.

Mr. Marcos said the Philippines is currently only “playing catch-up” in strengthening its agriculture sector, whose contribution to economic growth has been “diminished.”

“That is why it is important that we accelerate all our efforts,” Mr. Marcos said.

“With our energies and resources combined, I am confident that we will not only achieve our goal of feeding the Filipino people but also achieve our dream of making the Philippines a leading agricultural resource hub in the region and the world.”

Agricultural output declined 0.3% by value in the first quarter led by fisheries, livestock and crops.

Mr. Marcos said the government has expanded irrigation projects, created food logistics hubs and agri-trading centers, and aided cooperatives and associations in procuring refrigerated vans, freezers, chillers, and other equipment.

He added that the government has also provided various forms of aid, disbursing more than P590 million in financial assistance to rice farmers and P320 million for the Fuel Discount Program.

Mr. Marcos has decided to serve as his own Secretary of Agriculture with a promise to boost food production and limit imports where possible.

He faces challenges like inflation and the rising cost of farm inputs as a result of the war between Russia and Ukraine, and could be under pressure to take a free-trade approach despite signaling protectionist policies. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Related posts
EconomyForex

DA allows imports of up to 21,000 tons of onions 

1 Mins read
PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS THE Philippines’ Agriculture department said on…
EconomyForex

Dry soil to curb Asia’s early 2024 rice output, pressure supply 

2 Mins read
SINGAPORE – Asian off-season rice production is poised to…
EconomyForex

People-centric approach needed in adoption of AI — experts

3 Mins read
STOCK PHOTO | Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay…
Power your team with InHype
[mc4wp_form id="17"]

Add some text to explain benefits of subscripton on your services.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *