DA chief urges farmers to work together to attain food security
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has enjoined the participants of a recent Farmers’ Congress in Luzon to come together and renew Philippine agriculture.
“Let’s start by pursuing vigorously the counterparting scheme with local government units so we can implement more agricultural and fishery projects,” he said.
Alcala also requested the local government units to lend to the DA their agriculture officers and extension workers so that the agency could effectively and efficiently implement national projects.
The DA will re-train them to further upgrade their skills and knowledge as the agency under his watch will both promote conventional as well as organic system of farming, he said.
Alcala, who authored the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, added that farmers will have the choice on what system to adopt, or may combine both to make his farm productive and sustainable.
During said his recent field visits, Alcala said President Benigno Aquino III to make the country attain self-sufficiency in rice, corn vegetables, fish and other basic food commodities.
Alcala made the following pronouncements during the open forum: government though the Land Bank of the Philippines will increase its loan portfolio to agriculture and allot more credit funds through cooperative rural banks and accredited financial conduits;
DA will promote massive use of good and certified rice seeds; government will put up more major trading centers and grains terminals in strategic areas of the country; and,
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will set up more mariculture parks in appropriate coastal towns nationwide and make available more rent to own fish cages to benefit small marginal fishermen; and pursue renewed efforts to repair and rehabilitate irrigation systems and construct more small water impounding projects.*
