Robredo urges gov't to increase investments in agriculture
Vice President Leni Robredo urged the government to invest more on agriculture to ensure that the current health crisis does not become a food crisis.
Robredo said food production must increase to avoid supply shortage and stabilize food prices.
“May mga bagay na talagang gobyerno lang ang may pondo na malaki at makinaryang magsulong (There are things that it’s only the government has huge funds and machinery to implement),” she noted.
“Malinaw ang next steps na kailangang gawin: Dapat mag-invest sa agrikultura para masigurong this health crisis does not turn into a food crisis (The next steps that need be done are clear: invest in agriculture to make sure this health crisis does not turn into food crisis),” she said.
The vice president made the call during the recent AgriCOOPh Virtual Partnership and 2nd General Assembly, where she was a keynote speaker.
Robredo gave her suggestions on how to increase investments in areas that benefit the agriculture sector—particularly in technology and farm-to-market infrastructure.
She said the farmers, fishermen, and livestock farmers need more support in terms of farm-to-market roads, shared service and cold storage facilities.
Robredo added those in the agricultural sector must also be given access to technology so they could modernize and scale up their operations.
Beyond this, Robredo also said ”communities and businesses must be encouraged to source their produce from local farmers.”
“This would be easy if spaces will be open where they can do business, especially given the current situation—from putting up local community markets to launching online marketplaces,” she said.
The coronavirus pandemic has brought hard times to farmers with loss of income when lockdowns nationwide have kept them at home.
But despite this, Robredo cited the agriculture sector still managed to grow by 1.6 percent for the second quarter of the year.
”Government will need to provide a comprehensive plan that directs efforts and aid to help small farmers and fishermen get back on their feet. We continue our call that this must be done because it’s clear by now, agriculture is really a key sector,” she said.