LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Planting rice is no longer “never fun” and farming has become “sexier than before.”
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the country became 96 percent rice self-sufficient starting in 2010. The Department of Agriculture’s support to farmers’ cooperatives, improvement in irrigation and use of hybrid seeds increased yields on irrigated fields.
He also said that farm mechanization is making farming a less difficult livelihood, belying the old folksong that “planting rice is never fun, bend from morn to the set of sun.”
Currently, agriculture contributes 15 to 16 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. This is the contribution of 42 percent of the country’s population that is dependent on agriculture.
Alcala explained that in the agriculture sector, only raw products are counted. When agricultural products are processed, it is credited to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Abelardo Bragas, DA-Bicol regional executive director, said the classification lessens the contribution of the DA to the GDP. He also noted that finished products command higher market value, but the credit is not with DA.
Alcala turned over P54 million worth of agriculture and fisheries products, farm equipment and livelihood and infrastructure projects to Albay Gov. Joey Salceda during the provincial stakeholder’s meeting and farmers’ forum at the Albay Astrodome Friday morning.