Agricultural self-sufficiency

The highest incidence of poverty is found in our agriculture and fishing sectors, according to the National Economic Development Authority statistics. Oxfam, in their 2008 report Harnessing Agriculture for Development, pointed out: “Across a wide spectrum of countries…from Cambodia and the Philippines to Pakistan…investment in agriculture is still considered highly relevant due to the high proportions of people in poverty whose livelihoods are ‘anchored’ in the sector.” Developing those industries, especially the rural agriculture industry, will be beneficial in a number of ways: agricultural self-sufficiency, increased food security, combating hunger, reducing poverty and increasing the peace and order situation throughout the country. 

According to Oxfam, “2/3 of the country’s poor work in agriculture, but overall it contributes little to GDP and employs 37% of the working population.” What is being done to support the farmers? The picture that Oxfam paints is dim, “In the Philippines, access to basic agricultural support services dropped dramatically: the share of agricultural loans in total loans…decreased from 9.2% in 1980 to 3.3% in 2006.” Further, the farm-to-market infrastructure is in serious need of remedy. Thus, our rural farmer’s access to markets and supermarkets remains limited. Those who are able to get access may not have the necessary capital or technological support structure to increase production and respond to changing conditions.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, the Philippines imports 1.8 million tons of rice a year. The International Rice Research Institute believes that by 2017 the Philippines can become rice self-sufficient. Dr. Sergio Francisco, from the IRRI website, says: “With the RSSP, self sufficiency can be achieved provided, sufficient government investment in irrigation, research and development, and extensions are provided.” The RSSP is the Philippine government’s Rice Self-Sufficiency Plan. If the adoption of new production techniques and rice breeds that yield greater harvests will result in the Philippines becoming a self-sufficient rice producer, this must be done. We agree with the IRRI; the next administration must pursue this plan. The benefits to food security and poverty reduction are clear.

Focusing on developing our rural agricultural industries also affects the urban poverty situation. Many who migrate to the cities go in search of better work opportunities and earnings potential. By developing and improving the rural agricultural, specifically among the small producers, we give those who are in urban areas, or who may go to urban areas, a viable income generating alternative. Improving our rural and small farmer’s production capacity will also have a beneficial effect on national food security and production.

While the task may appear daunting, re-developing rural agricultural production is a necessity. However, to do so the government will have to shift some of their structural policies to protect local producers and encourage domestic production. In line with this, Oxfam has made some recommendations for agricultural development. Chief among them are land rights and access to water. Irrigation, as we well know, is a necessity for enhancing agricultural production. With regards to land, Oxfam says: “Land is also one of the four most critical assets people can use to overcome poverty — as well as labour, knowledge and capital — and make land productive.” The key is that access to land must be coupled with other assets to overcome poverty. Government must also develop programs, in partnership with non-government and microfinance organizations, that will improve access to credit for development; as well as education programs that will train rural farmers in new techniques and technology. Part-in-parcel is developing new infrastructure and improving access to markets. Improving yields is well and good, but domestic (and if possible later on, international) access to markets for goods is an integral step.

These are just a few of the necessary steps to consider in re-developing our rural agriculture sector. With the increasing levels of poverty in rural areas and the underdeveloped nature of agriculture today, the benefits of doing so are clear.