DA to ramp up food output while driving down costs
In 2024
At A Glance
- The Department of Agriculture maintains a steadfast commitment to elevating food production while concurrently seeking to reduce associated costs.<br>There is a strong emphasis on prioritizing food security, despite the challenges posed by El Niño and potential supply shocks, underlining the government's dedication to safeguarding the nation's food supply.<br>Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., during the department's annual Christmas celebration, highlighted the pivotal nature of the mission at hand, acknowledging that the entire nation is focused on the DA's endeavors. He stressed the importance of performing effectively, aiming to dispel any doubts and elevate the morale of the department's employees.<br>Laurel said the DA is focused on achieving "more production and less cost," aligning with the government's objective of increasing production to ensure food security and stabilize prices, benefiting farmers, fishermen, and consumers across the nation.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the government is committed to improving the country’s food production while lowering expenses, even in the face of the challenges and limitations.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. said the DA will prioritize ensuring food security next year, even in the face of the challenges posed by El Niño and the potential threats of external price and supply shocks in the Philippines.
“We have a big mission next year—a very big mission. Lahat, ang buong bansa, nakatingin sa atin [Every Filipino is watching us],” Laurel said during his department’s annual Christmas celebration.
“Dahil nakatingin sa atin ang buong bansa, kailangan tayong mag-perform [And because the country’s attention is focused on us, we have to perform well.] Let's perform and prove our critics wrong,” he added, seeking to boost the morale of DA employees.
“The new DA will work towards 'more production and less cost.’ A vast majority our countrymen, I am confident, wants us to succeed and we should not fail them,” the agriculture chief further stated.
Tiu Laurel sought everyone’s cooperation, underscoring the challenge before them in accomplishing President Marcos’ mandate to increase production to ensure food security and stabilize prices for the benefit of farmers and fishermen as well as consumers.
Food exporting nations like India imposed bans on rice and onion exports while others are stockpiling food supplies in preparation for El Nino. The tighter supply of agricultural products had consequently driven commodity prices higher.
The Department of Science and Technology has warned of a strong El Niño event that could affect 65 of the 81 provinces by May, with the possibility of moderate to severe drought—a condition where rainfall is below normal for three consecutive months—hurting those areas.
A prolonged dry spell would adversely affect food production, especially of water-dependent rice, the country's food staple.
As part of the El Niño Task Force created by President Marcos to address the effects of the weather phenomenon, the DA has began implementing strategies to cope with the anticipated drought.
These measures include enhancing irrigation facilities, employing alternative rice planting techniques that use less water, facilitating animal dispersal, and offering alternative livelihood opportunities to farmers and fisherfolk.
“Together, we will overcome this challenge and emerge with flying colors,” Laurel told DA employees.