More agricultural infrastructures, including warehouses, seaports, food terminals, and roads, will be built to help bring down the cost of food in the country, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

Laurel stated this after meeting with private sectors to listen to their recommendations in pushing for greater spending on agricultural infrastructure and mechanization to hasten the farm sector’s modernization, increase productivity, and ensure food security.

“If we can work together well, then I think we can move forward faster,” Laurel told regional agricultural and fisheries councils, who gathered at the DA office in Quezon City to submit their recommendations to the Agriculture chief.

The recommendations presented by the councils were varied and included issues affecting the production of rice, fish and other aquatic resources, poultry and livestock, corn and feed crops, high value crops including rubber and fiber crops, coconut, as well as domestic trade and mechanization.

The regional councils are pushing for the establishment of cold storage facilities for vegetables, construction of farm-to-market roads, conversion of rice competitive enhancement funds to rice price subsidy, and mechanization of farm processes, including those for high value crops and fiber.

They also proposed the establishment of local nurseries and seed banks to ensure high quality planting materials and seeds, widen and intensify soil testing to optimize land use and productivity,  establishment of inland fisheries and hatcheries in upland areas.

Other recommendations include the revival of direct farmer linkage to market via Kadiwa centers, timely release of hybrid seed and fertilizer interventions, construction of more irrigation facilities, implementation of the higher biofuel blend to help the coconut industry, creation of a Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and establishment of data center for timely agricultural statistics.

Laurel said the dialogue with regional councils gave him a clearer perspective on how to pursue agricultural modernization.

He further said that a 10-point agenda is now being finalized by the DA to address issues holding back the progress of the country’s farm sector and its stakeholders, particularly farmers and fisherfolk.

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

Laurel said 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.