“With the other side of the world embroiled in conflict, we should explore insights from the rice-based food systems of Asia and Southeast Asia to counter the global challenges to our food production,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said.
The secretary, during the opening of the National Workshop on ASEAN – One CGIAR R4D Program on March 7, 2022, highlighted the importance of rice security, which is almost synonymous with food security, particularly in the Philippines.
“While the big producers of wheat and corn are currently undergoing a humanitarian crisis, rice-based food systems can step in to mitigate scarcity in other cereals. Hence, we welcome more research and technologies that will help both in the immediate-term and the long-term,” Sec. Dar added.
He explained that despite the Southeast Asian region’s vast ecosystem that greatly supports agricultural production and food systems, it is unfortunately vulnerable and currently in peril.
The secretary also cited climate change, imprudent use of agrochemicals, water, and soil, rapid urbanization, biodiversity loss, the Covid-19 pandemic, and world conflicts as factors affecting the environment and agricultural productivity.
“Despite these adversities, we in Southeast Asia, especially here in the Philippines, are rethinking and reformulating a shared vision to alleviate and secure a future with hope – the future food systems for the present and upcoming generations through science, research, and technology,” the agri chief said.
The “OneDA Reform Agenda” of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has four strong pillars – consolidation, modernization, industrialization, and professionalization, and science-based key strategies, which will make the agriculture sector competitive.
The agri chief is positive that the workshop will serve as an avenue for all the participants to achieve a common understanding of climate-related development challenges and to know agriculture and climate change research and development priorities in the country.
“May all of you come upon a resolute decision on how we can apply and disseminate all the research we do at One CGIAR,” Secretary Dar expressed support to the people behind the national workshop. ### (Gumamela Celes Bejarin, DA-AFID)
