“Ako ay Kalihim na hindi maglilihim.”

This was the assuring statement of Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar when he addressed the members of the Management Committee of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on December 20, 2019 at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management.

In his message, the newly-confirmed DA Secretary urged the top-level officials of the Department to join him in the leveling up of Philippine agriculture.

“This is the team. We have to work as one, to enable the sector to contribute substantially to the economic stability of the country,” he said.

As such, the Secretary reminded the DA family of the 2-3-4 strategy which targets to attain total agricultural production growth of 2% in 2020, 3% in 2021, and 4% in 2022.

To attain growth, Dar stressed that research results must be utilized and maximized.

“Ako po ay baliw na baliw sa research na may resulta,” he said.

In addition, Dar reminded everyone to practice the ease of doing business with due diligence.

“This is the time to be part of the team proactively, and have the mind and heart for new thinking with a vision of food-secure Philippines with prosperous farmers and fishers,” he said. ### (Adora Rodriguez, DA-AFID)