Agri modernization program to generate 1-M jobs by 2004

One million new jobs are expected to be generated in the countryside within 2001 to 2004 as the Arroyo administration implements its agriculture and fisheries modernization program.

This was revealed in the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) 2001 to 2004, the country’s blueprint for all the programs and projects of the Arroyo administration.

Based on the MTPDP, the implementation of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) and the Fisheries Code has paved the way for the private sector to invest in the agriculture and fisheries sectors and, in so doing, create more jobs in the rural areas.

According to the plan, government will also infuse some P20 billion a year in public investments in various mandated modernization programs until 2004.

Among the targets within the plan period include: The irrigation of 473,752 hectares of land; construction of about 1,597 km. of new farm-to-market roads; distribution of 21,863 postharvest machinery and equipment; and the construction of 14,810 assorted postharvest-related infrastructure to benefit some three million farmers.

According to the MTPDP, the agricultural crops subsector is also expected to grow annually by an average of 2.4 to 3.6 percent within the plan period. Traditional crops (rice, corn, coconut and sugarcane) will show moderate growth of two to three percent.

Growth in the crops subsector will be led by high value and export crops (tropical fruits and vegetables). The subsector is expected to register an average annual growth of 3.4 to 5.7 percent from 2001-2004.

From 2001-2004, the annual growth rates of the livestock and poultry subsectors are projected at 4.1 to 4.6 percent and 4.2 to 5.1 percent on the average, respectively. The hog and chicken industries, mainly private sector-led and driven by growth in the domestic demand, will continue to lead growth in the sector at 4.1 to 4.7 percent and 4.1 to 5.2 percent, respectively.

The fisheries subsector is projected to post an average annual growth of 3.8 to 3.9 percent led by the aquaculture industry, which will grow by an average of 7.6 percent annually. Municipal fisheries will stabilize in the next four years and commercial fisheries will grow by an average of 3.1 to 3.6 percent annually.

The MTPDP noted that the rural sector accounts for half of the country’s population and 77 percent of the poor.

The Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan 2001 to 2004 is now available at the National Economic and Development Authority, Publications Division, NEDA Bldg., #12 Blessed Jose Escriva Drive (formerly Amber Ave.) Pasig City. For inquiries call tel. no. 6313281 or e-mail [email protected].