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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos hopeful on agri modernization; focused on rice sufficiency

Marcos hopeful on agri modernization; focused on rice sufficiency

Published Sep 26, 2023 08:28 am

President Marcos is hopeful that the government's agriculture modernization program will bear "positive impacts" amid its efforts to maintain sufficient rice buffer stock in the country.

BBM Rice Manila.jpg
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Noel B. Pabalate)

In his message during the 51st anniversary of the National Food Authority (NFA), Marcos expressed hopes that the projects launched by the authority towards a more productive and proactive farming would be successful.

"I share with you our high hopes in the success of the SARAI Project—or the Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines Project. Through this, we will be intensifying our efforts in providing smart and sustainable solutions for a more productive and proactive farming," Marcos said in his speech delivered by Department of Agriculture (DA) Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban on Tuesday, Sept. 26.

"Likewise, I am optimistic in the positive impacts that will be carried out by the NFA Modernization Program," he added.

Project SARAI aims to develop a national crop forecasting and monitoring system for nine priority crops, which are: rice, corn, banana, coconut, coffee, cacao, sugarcane, tomato, and soybean. It also serves as a source for the measurable, verifiable, and connected gathering of procurement data to improve NFA warehouse management and accounting.

With the NFA Modernization Program, the agency plans to build facilities and pursue developments, including post-harvest storage and processing facilities towards a 100-day buffer stock target, rice fortification, and non-grains supply chain support facilities.

The NFA also intends to transition to renewable energy sources, such as biomass and solar batteries, for enhanced power generation.

Marcos also assured Filipinos that the administration is working hard to boost the agricultural sector and increase the local production and supply of the staple food in the country.

“The recent months have truly been challenging. However, we continue to find the best solutions to the issues that we face without compromising the needs of our farmers and retailers,” he said.

“We continue to relentlessly strive to bolster the agriculture sector to increase our local food production and supply. We also conducted outreach activities and extended food relief assistance to the underprivileged members of our society,” he added.

The President cited that the  government is also undertaking steps to mitigate matters pertaining to the price stability of basic commodities, especially rice, by strengthening law-enforcement activities against smugglers and hoarders.

READ MORE: Marcos tags smugglers, hoarders as 'bukbok' in rice industry

Related Tags

rice buffer stock National Food Authority (NFA) agriculture President Marcos
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