Author: DA-AFID | 19 December 2019
Despite facing many challenges since his first day in office, Agriculture Secretary William Dar is positive that the agriculture sector will attain a 2.5-3 percent production increase for the last quarter of the year.
The agri-fishery sector posted a major comeback in the third quarter of 2019, expanding production in crops, livestock, poultry, and fisheries.
At 2.87 percent production, the sector was able to reverse -1.27-percent and -0.87-percent contraction posted in the second quarter and the same period in 2018, respectively.
“We are hopeful that this favorable condition will be sustained into the fourth quarter of the year to allow us to attain a full-year growth, Dar said.
The Secretary added that as the government continues to push for increased income for the countryside, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is focusing efforts on increasing productivity, lowering production cost, value-adding, and market matching.
“DA will give nurturing support to attain the over-aching goals of Ani and Kita towards a food-secure Philippines with prosperous farmers and fishers,” he explained.
When Dar took over the agriculture portfolio in August, he called for the leveling up of the agriculture and fishery sectors guided by eight paradigms focused on modernization, industrialization, promotion of exports, farm consolidation, infrastructure development, roadmap development, higher budget, and legislative support.
For the coming year, DA will promote inclusive agribusiness that will transform food producers to entrepreneurs and encourage young Filipinos to take interest in farming activities.
“We will institutionalize a youth development program to enable younger generations to start-up businesses through the incubation of agricultural technologies,” Dar explained.
“When they are ready, we will provide them financial assistance, payable in five years with zero interest,” he added.
The Department will also push for a soil health program for the 11 million hectares of agri-lands and continue to promote a value chain strategy for all commodities.
“Borrowing the words of my mentor Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez, we have to think out of the box to unlock the sleeping giant that is the agriculture sector,” Dar stressed.
“We have to execute the right strategies and mechanisms that will contribute to economic stability,” he concluded. ### (Adora D. Rodriguez, DA-AFID)
