Importance of agri as engine for economic development cited

MANILA, Philippines - Former Ifugao Rep. Gualberto B. Lumauig said agriculture is the sole engine of the country’s economic development and the foundation towards building a strong economy.

Our country, he said, “will never prosper unless we give agriculture the highest priority in our national economic agenda.”

The former politician-turned rice farmer in his hometown in Ifugao, said the modernization of the country’s agriculture is a rigorous process which is not only the sole responsibility of the government but also of the private sector.

 “Kailangan din ng pamahalaan ang suporta ng pribadong sektor to bring about positive changes in the agriculture industry,” Lumauig said.

One of the strongest advocates of hybrid rice farming, Lumauig at the same time, criticized the objection to the planting of hybrid rice “as a product of ignorance and indulgence by farmer-advocates planting the traditional rice varieties.”

He said insisting on the old ways will not solve the mounting shortfall in our rice production in relation to our population growth “because we are stuck in producing a volume level permitted only by traditional methods and rice varieties.”

Lumauig cited three Asian countries – Indonesia, Bangladesh and Malaysia which, he said, are now utilizing hybrid rice technology to meet their growing demand for the cereal.

 “Bakit nga ba ang mga bansang ito ay nagha-hybrid rice na rin? Ang kasagutan dito ay naniwala na rin sila na ang China, na may papulasyong mahigit ngayon sa 1.3 bilyon, ay hybrid rice ang karamihang tinananim sa kanilang mga bukirin at napapakain pa nila ang ganoong karaming tao at yun nga, nakakapagluwas pa sila sa ibang bansa,” he said.

He said in China, more than 60 percent of its rice lands are planted to hybrid rice. With over 1.3 billion people to feed, China, he said, “is not only self-sufficient in rice but it has also enough for export.”

 “The result of the Chinese effort was the development of hybrid rice which increased by mega number its rice production, invigorated its rural economy and shot up the living standards of its farmers,” Lumauig said.