Agri sector regards smuggling as a major concern

MANILA, Philippines - Farmers and agri-businessmen rank smuggling as one of the major concerns that hinder the growth of the country’s agriculture and fishery sector.

They are saying that the entry of cheap smuggled agricultural products continues unhampered and this is adversely affecting the livelihood and incomes of small farmers and fisherfolk, and rural entrepreneurs.

This and other major concerns and problems were discussed during the recent Agriculture and Fisheries 2025 Summit, spearheaded by the Congressional Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization (COCAFM), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and the private sector.

The COCAFM is co-chaired by Sen. Francis Pangilinan and Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza, while the private sector was represented by Ernie Ordoñez.

On the issue of smuggling, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said the DA is working closely with the Bureau of Customs to firmly address the lingering problem.

The other major concern that government and the private sector should address, the farmers and agri-businessmen said, is to review the Local Government Code and local ordinances passed by local government units.

They said local laws should be more business-friendly and conducive to agriculture, fishery, agribusiness and food processing.

They added that government should also implement innovative and sustainable schemes to make credit accessible and affordable to small farmers and fisherfolk, and to small and medium agri-fishery enterprises.

The summit participants also asked legislators and local officials to craft and enforce favorable land use and zoning laws and ordinances to encourage investments in the agriculture and fishery sector.