Marcos urged to improve farm financing, train farmers

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the private sector have urged the Marcos administration to improve farm financing and to provide technical training for farmers to strengthen the country’s agriculture sector.

The recommendations were made during their meeting with President Marcos on the Kapatid Angat Lahat for Agricultural Program (KALAP) last Tuesday at Malacañang.

KALAP seeks to create an environment conducive for business and to provide farmers access to money, market and mentorship to grow their businesses.

An initiative of Go Negosyo, KALAP also aims to build a network for agripreneurs working together and creating job opportunities.

“Among the recommendations by the private sector include improvement on the loan and farm financing program, proper implementation of agri-agra laws, technical trainings for farmers and more post-harvest facilities in the country, among others,” a Facebook post by Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) read.

During the meeting, Go Negosyo founder and KALAP main proponent Joey Concepcion noted that agriculture is one of the main drivers of economic growth in the Philippines but is facing many challenges.

Concepcion called for stronger ties between the public and private sectors, saying it would enable deeper cooperation in achieving sustainable development and transformation in the agriculture sector that would benefit farmers and consumers.

Marcos, also the agriculture secretary, assured the private sector of the government’s commitment to develop more holistic approaches that would address key issues related to the economic, social and environmental aspects of the sector.

He emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in attaining sustainable development in agriculture.

”We listened to the recommendation of the private sector for the transformation of our agriculture and the updates on the Kapatid Angat Lahat for Agricultural Program that seeks to promote the livelihood of our farmers, fisherfolk and small businesses,” the President tweeted yesterday.

“Each aspect, including the social, environmental and economic aspects, will be addressed to achieve a stronger and more productive agriculture sector,” he added.

During the signing of the KALAP program last month, Marcos gave his assurance that the government would continue supporting micro, small and medium enterprises in the agriculture industry.