To improve expenditures on agricultural infrastructure and mechanization as well as boost farm modernization and productivity, the Department of Agriculture (DA) sought recommendations from the regional agricultural and fisheries councils.

In a statement on Monday, Jan. 8, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. said he gathered the regional councilors in Quezon City to discuss suggestions on food production and security.

He believed that infrastructure development and modernization would push through with the help of agricultural exchange, stating “If we can work together well, then I think we can move forward faster.”

According to the DA, the recommendations would benefit food production such as rice, fish and other aquatic resources, poultry and livestock.

Other production to benefit from the suggestions are corn and feed crops, high-value crops like rubber and fiber, coconut, and other operations within the domestic trade and mechanisms.

For food production, regional councils recommended cold storage facilities dedicated to vegetables like onions and laboratories for biosecurity.

They also hope to have farm-to-market roads or other modes to move agricultural products more efficiently.

Local nurseries and seed banks were also suggested to provide high-quality planting materials and seeds, while the agriculture sector could also do intensified soil testing to utilize all possible areas of land.

Additionally, they want a timely release of hybrid seed and fertilizer intervention.

They also asked the DA to establish inland fisheries and hatcheries in upland areas to push efficient fish production.

Meanwhile, other suggestions include the conversion of rice competitive funds to rice price subsidies and having a data center built for timely agricultural statistics.

In terms of mechanization and infrastructures, the councils wish for an improved mechanization of farm processes especially for the high-value crops and fiber, as well as building more irrigation facilities.

To help the coconut industry, they recommended the implementation of a higher biofuel blend in the energy mix.

Since the KADIWA program started, the regional councilors also asked to revive direct farmer linkages to the market, while they also believe a separate department for fisheries and aquaculture could be considered.

These dialogues allowed the agriculture chief to examine ways to pursue modernization and that a 10-point agenda is being finalized by the agency to assess the problems within the sector.

With the incoming agricultural game plan, this could solve the problems faced by the agri stakeholders, especially farmers and fisherfolk.

“The DA is also working towards digitalization and a thorough review of the minimum access volume to rationalize food importation,” he said.

Moreover, the DA reported that the country can expect more infrastructures, including warehouses, seaports, food terminals, and roads which would bring down the cost of food for consumers.

“More consultations will be undertaken in the future and pledged to find funds needed to substantially address all the issues and recommendations submitted by agricultural and fisheries councils across the country,” Laurel said.

The agriculture sector contributes four in every 10 jobs in the country, however, they have less than 10 percent within the domestic economy.

Because of this, a dramatic improvement in the farm sector would be able to provide more jobs to catch up with the growing economy.

With proper solutions to secure food and farm production, this would help lower inflation rates and lessen the reliability of imported goods.