Agri policies anchored on grassroots input – Alcala

MANILA, Philippines - Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala stressed the importance of involving the grassroots for effective agriculture policy development and implementation during the “Araw ng Magsasaka” activity held  recently in San Ildefonso, Magalang, Pampanga.

“Kayo po ang mga bossing sa sakahan at pangisdaan, kaya naman ako ay umiikot sa buong bansa upang pakinggan ang inyong mga alalahanin at ideya,” Alcala said. (You are the bosses in the agriculture and fisheries sector and I am going around the country to listen to your concerns and ideas.)

People-centered growth

The agri chief noted the important role of small farmers and fisherfolk in providing first-hand information that could effectively guide decision makers in the national government.

“Your participation will enable us to craft effective policies and programs that cater to the agro-fishery sector. In this way, you can experience more how the national government, especially DA, cares for farmers and fisherfolk,” he said.

Alcala assured that, as the government’s frontline agency on food and agriculture, the DA would  continue to stand by its mandate to help the sector, notably the smallholders, to prosper amidst climate change challenges and increased competition in the global market. 

He said this is one of the government’s strategies to promote equitable and environmentally sustainable development, in keeping with President Aquino’s inclusive growth agenda.

Climate smart agriculture: Technology and infrastructure 

As part of its climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, DA’s Bureau of Soils and Water Management is also building agro-meteorological stations in areas that are highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as floods, as well as outbreaks of pest and diseases in crops and animals. 

These stations, being built in tandem with PAG-ASA, would be used to gather agromet data including humidity and rainfall, and would form part of an early warning system for agriculture. Collected data would be used to draw up interventions meant to lessen the impact of weather-related challenges on food production activities. 

As of March 2014, 99 out of the targeted 153 agro-stations have been established across the country.

DA also ensures that farm-to-market roads are built according to standards and agreed specifications to make them sturdier to withstand the  vagaries of the weather. Climate-smart crops such as drought- and flood-resistant palay (unhusked rice) varieties are also now available for farmers.

The agriculture chief added that the government’s agricultural policy and programs are also streamlined for the ASEAN economic integration in 2015. This  means providing the necessary policy support, technical capacity and facilities to enable Filipino food producers and compete in a globalized trading order.

During the activity, Alcala distributed farm machineries and materials, corn, rice, and vegetable seeds, and fruit tree seedlings to the farmers associations. Five farmers also received a carabao with plow and harrow each in the grand raffle.

Organized by the Good Samaritan Farmers Association, in cooperation with the San Ildefonso Barangay Council, the event was attended by around 500 farmers from other associations from Magalang and Mabalacat, Pampanga, Concepcion, Tarlac, and Zambales.

The activity was graced by DA III  regional executive director Dr. Andrew B. Villacorta, Pampanga State Agricultural University president Dr. Honorio M. Soriano Jr., and Magalang Mayor Romulo F. Pecson.