For decades, the Department of Agriculture has vigorously transformed the rural communities of the country into a dynamic center of food production and livelihood opportunities.
Technical and financial assistance, as well as packages of interventions have been delivered, which facilitated progress in both the agriculture and fisheries sectors. Following the advancement are improved product quality and an increase in productivity and income of the local farmers and fishers.
On its 120th year, the Agency will continue its stronger drive to realize a more productive, competitive, sustainable and technology-based Philippine agriculture and fishery sectors.
Last year, during the State of the Nation Address, President Rodrigo Duterte called out to the Department of Agriculture to address issues on sustainable agricultural growth and market linkages; increase small farmers’ and fisherfolk’s income; provide access to financing; and strengthen resilience to climate and disaster risk.
Under the guidance of Secretary Manny Piñol, the Department responded accordingly:
INTENSIFIED SUPPORT TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY
Solar-Powered Irrigation System
The first solar-powered irrigation system, established in New Janiuay, M’lang, North Cotabato, was designed to irrigate lands as wide as 100 – 150 hectares and could pump 1000 gallons of water during hot days. This year, 143 units will be installed nationwide under the National Rice and Corn Programs.
National Color-Coded Agriculture Guide (NACCAG) Map
The NACCAG map was developed as an agricultural landscape tool to guide food producers on the natural suitability of 20-economically important crops. With NACCAG in place, the government can make a sound analysis for agricultural policy-making and determination of site-specific projects and investments.
Magsasaka Mekaniko
The initiative, which supports the Makinadong Magsasaka Program seeks to establish a core of competent certified farm mechanics composed of farmers and rural laborers to provide timely repair works of farm machineries. The mechanics will also teach other farmers minor troubleshooting and maintenance works.
F/B Pagbabago Program
This livelihood intervention aims to uplift the lives and livelihood of Filipino fishers, and their families by providing them with safe and durable crafts and fishing paraphernalia to be used in their fishing activities. Two hundred fifty thousand fishing boats will be distributed in five years to benefit 500,000 families.
EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF LOAN AND LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMS
Production Loan Easy Access (PLEA) Program
PLEA is an easy access credit program, which provides fast, convenient and affordable credit to small farmers and fishers in poor provinces. The loan which is intended for agri-fishery production is payable in two to 10 years at 6% interest with no collateral.
Survival Recovery (SURE) Loan
SURE is a quick-response, post-disaster emergency and recovery loan assistance intended for the immediate rehabilitation of agricultural and livelihood activities of small farmers and fisherfolk affected by natural calamities. The loan is payable in 3 years at 0% interest rate.
Farm Machineries and Equipment Loan Program
The Program, which has an initial funding of P400 million, will allow borrowers to select their preferred brand of machineries from a DA-approved list. It has an annual interest loan rate of 6% based on diminishing balance.
Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD)
SAAD aims to reach out to Filipino families and groups below the poverty threshold in target areas and capacitate them to manage livelihood projects and other social interventions based on their needs.
SWIFT RESPONSE TO INDUSTRY THREATS
On August 2017, President Duterte, along with Sec. Piñol, and other local government officials of Region III provinces, declared all poultry products of the region safe for consumption. This was just after one month of intensive operations against the avian influenza virus, which affected farms in Pampanga and Nueva Ecija. Despite the outbreak, the sector recorded a 5.24% growth during the first quarter of the present year.
REINFORCED MARKET ASSISTANCE FOR FARMERS, FISHERFOLK AND LOCAL CONSUMERS
The first TienDA Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Outlet opened at the Bureau of Plant Industry in Malate, Manila on July, 2017 as part of the marketing scheme of the government to provide local producers a venue where they can sell their produce at farmgate prices. The initiative also seeks to eliminate layers of middlemen and allow food producers to earn fairly from their hard labor. In 2017, 11 TienDA opened generating total sales of P7.04 million and benefitting 480 groups. TienDA has also forged partnership with Ayala malls and has been collaborating with the Department of National Defense.
