Aiming to strengthen his organization's longstanding collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA), newly-appointed country representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) Lionel Henri Valentin Dabbadie vowed to help boost the Philippine rice sector and food security.
In a recent meeting, Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban received Dabbadie, the new FAO Philippines head who assumed his role last Jan. 31. The current status of Philippine agriculture and potential areas for agricultural collaboration became the focus of discussion between the DA and FAO officials.
"Among the issues discussed were major concerns on transboundary animal diseases affecting the country’s livestock and poultry industries, intensification of the production and supply of rice and corn, production and mobilization of food through the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry and the KADIWA ni Ani at Kita Program, and programs to stabilize the prices of agricultural commodities," the agriculture department disclosed in a statement.
Panganiban thanked FAO for its ongoing assistance to developing countries in facilitating the development and promoting sustainability to make food security possible and for its constant coordination with the DA on areas of cooperation and plausible projects for a resilient, inclusive, and food-secured Philippine agricultural sector.
The DA also acknowledged Dabbadie’s assistance during his term as the Bureau of Fisheries And Aquatic Resources advisor from 2005-2010.
"His primary contributions were the compliance advisory of the Fish Health Unit with the European Food Law and successful grant submission for a multidisciplinary research project on the Impact of the European Union regulations on the Philippine aquaculture production chain. Because of his efforts in leading the development of a program to establish guidelines for sustainable aquaculture, Mr. Dabbadie received the Special Distinction Award from BFAR," the DA noted.
Recognizing also the importance of fisheries and aquaculture in the country, Panganiban welcomed Dabbadie's expertise and support in these fields, urging him to work closely with the DA on policy and technical support through the updated Philippine Country Programming Framework 2018-2024, especially in the areas of rice, corn, livestock, poultry, fisheries, aquaculture, and agro-industrialization, in a bid to boost productivity and ensure food security.
"Conversely, Mr. Dabbadie committed to supporting the Department in the areas raised by Undersecretary Panganiban. Mr. Lionel encouraged the participation of DA in several FAO events, namely: the 2023 Stocktaking Moment on July 24-26, 2023; the International Day of Millet, which will be celebrated in the U.N. General Assembly; The Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum on October 18-19, 2023; and, the 2024 Asia-Pacific Regional Conference. Mr. Dabbadie also expressed support for the Philippine rice sector through their possible involvement in the 2023 International Rice Congress," the DA stated.
It can be recalled that the Philippines and FAO have a longstanding experience of collaboration.
"Since 1945, the Philippines has been a founding member of the organization and has made significant contributions to establishing its objectives. FAO established a national office in the Philippines in 1978 and has since provided training and support, technical assistance, and policy advice to the Philippine Government to strengthen the agriculture sector," the DA stated.