Recognizing the efforts and sacrifices of the Filipino farmers and fishers in ensuring food security and sustainability, Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar commended the true heroes of the country in feeding the whole nation and leading progress.
In his keynote message during the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month opening program, Dar stressed that there is a need for renewed recognition for the frontliners of Philippine agriculture.
The agri chief added that the food champions have remained to be constant partners of the government in leading the economy towards faster recovery under the new normal.
The Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Month was first celebrated in May 1989 , through Presidential Proclamation No. 33, which aims to give tribute and recognition to the outstanding contributions of agricultural laborers to the development of the local agriculture sector.
This year, Dar noted that the celebration differs as the country continues its battle with the challenges of Covid-19 pandemic and African Swine Fever (ASF).
“On the side, we get our fair share of criticisms and unfounded allegations regarding our actions and decisions in our effort to address these concerns, notably on the issue of pork importation meant to immediately curb the rising pork prices and rising meat inflation for the benefit of some 100 million Filipinos,” he said.
“We really can’t please everyone. It is unfortunate that some sectors that fail to appreciate and understand the tough balancing act we at DA and my fellow economic managers must make: price stability and food security while protecting local industries, especially during the ongoing pandemic,” he added.
Despite all of these, the Secretary assures that the DA will continue to make farming and fishing more profitable, productive, sustainable, and competitive so that it can withstand future challenges.
He also highlighted the aggressive efforts and strategies, under the “OneDA” approach, which includes farm consolidation, establishment of agri-industrial business corridors, infrastructure development, post-harvest and processing, logistics and marketing development, deployment of more e-Kadiwa’s, improvement of its digital agriculture strategies and climate change adaptation measures, and streamlining services to ensure ease in doing business.
“These strategies under OneDA will help our country “survive, reboot and grow”. We must accelerate our progress for the welfare of the Philippine agriculture through consolidation, modernization, industrialization and professionalization,” he said. ### (DA-AFID)
