DA seeks private sector support to modernize agriculture sector

MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francaisco Tiu Laurel is seeking inputs from the private sector to formulate national policies and programs that will help fast-track the modernization of the agriculture sector.

A modernized Philippine agriculture will help increase food production and ensure food security, he said.

“Prompting people participation and ensuring sustainable development through sound policy recommendations are key factors that we can embrace to maintain a functional and holistic approach in dealing with the sector’s challenges,” Laurel told the 9th National Agriculture and Fisheries Volunteers’ Day celebration and awarding ceremony of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF).

The private sector partners of the Department of Agriculture (DA) can also assist the government in policy and project monitoring to “maximize the benefits derived from these interventions.”

Since taking over the reins of the DA from President Marcos in early November, the agriculture chief has gone to various parts of the country to meet government officials, investors, industry experts, farmers, fishermen and other sector stakeholders to drum up support for the government’s push for food self-sufficiency, reduction of agricultural products importation, and to make agriculture a career option for the younger generation.

“We’ve been stressing from day one – since I was appointed as the new agriculture secretary – the need to modernize the agriculture sector, not only to feed 118 million Filipinos but ensure food security by practicing a whole-of-nation approach,” Laurel said.

He stressed that under the administration of President Marcos, the DA is set to transform the Philippine agriculture sector into a modern industry.

In particular, the agency will step up efforts to mechanize farming, build more agricultural infrastructure and adopt the latest technologies to improve food production.

The push for agricultural modernization will also focus on equally important sectors like rice, livestock, poultry, fisheries and high-value crops to ensure that affordable food items are readily available and accessible to consumers.

During his confirmation hearing, Laurel said he would rely on science and market data to ensure timely interventions to modernize agriculture to realize food security and sufficiency, as well as sustainability.

Laurel said the private sector has been an invaluable partner of the DA in the development process of the industry.

“The collaboration of government and the private sector is crucial. We highlight the efforts and dedication of our partners in building a sustainable set of options for the future of agriculture and fisheries,” he said.

PCAF is an attached agency of the DA that nurtures private-public partnerships in policy development, and promotes and facilitates broad-based participatory development mechanisms and processes in the agriculture and fisheries sector through the National Sectoral Committees at the national level and the Agriculture and Fishery Councils at the regional and local levels.