“This builds up the momentum wherein farmers’ associations and cooperatives will embrace the agribusiness way of doing things.”
This was the statement of Agriculture Secretary William Dar when he signed the Department Administrative Circular on the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 11321 or the Sagip Saka Act on October 21, 2019.
The Act establishes the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program of the Department of Agriculture that is a comprehensive set of objectives, targets, and holistic approach in promoting the establishment of enterprises involving agricultural and fishery products.
Secretary Dar acknowledged the authors and sponsors of the law led by Senator Francis Pangilinan.
“Tamang-tama at meron na palang batas (It’s just right that we now have this law) that can concretize and support the new programs and projects of the department. [This is in line with] the inclusive agribusiness system that we would like to pursue beyond just increasing productivity,” he said.
Dar added that the Sagip Saka Act provides a way forward in terms of broadening interventions from production to processing and marketing using the value chain system.
“Let me emphasize that the agribusiness mechanism is a way with which we can further enhance the capacities of the farmers through their associations or cooperatives in transforming themselves towards inclusive agribusiness,” he said.
The Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program under the Sagip Saka Act will assist in the improvement of production and productivity, including agricultural extension services, skills development, and provision of production inputs, equipment, facilities, and infrastructure support.
The program will also help improve the producers’ and enterprises’ access to financing institutions and to improved technologies through research and development. In addition, business support and development services, particularly in terms of market access, marketing, and networking will be provided. ### (Gumamela Celes Bejarin, DA-AFID)
