Newly-appointed Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel, Jr. has set among his priorities increasing local food production and modernizing the country’s agri-food systems, which are a significant part in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
Laurel said the marching order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is to modernize agriculture with the goal of achieving food security, reducing import dependence, and lift millions of farmers and fisherfolk out of poverty by the end of his term in 2028.
“By modernizing the agriculture sector, we could make it a more profitable venture and attract a younger generation that would ensure the country’s food security in the decades to come,” said the Agriculture chief.
“I’m ready to work but I can’t do this alone. I need your full cooperation and team work for us to achieve our targets,” Laurel added.
Aside from rice production, Laurel said that the Department of Agriculture (DA) under his leadership will equally focus on other important agricultural sectors that need government support including livestock, poultry, fisheries, and high value crops.
He added that he envisions agriculture to contribute more to the country’s economic growth.
The Philippine Statistics Authority announced that agriculture grew by 0.9 percent in the third quarter while gross domestic product during that period went up by 5.9 percent.
“While we’re thankful that agriculture continues to contribute to economic growth, we shouldn’t be satisfied with its share in expanding gross domestic product given its role in ensuring food security, creating jobs and reducing poverty,” Laurel said.
“Everyone in the Department of Agriculture should start rolling up their sleeves, myself especially, to ensure that the farm sector could produce more as we carry out President Marcos’ mandate to modernize agriculture,” he added.
Laurel is scheduled to travel around the country to meet farmers, fishermen and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector to get a better grasp of the situation on ground and to rally support for the Marcos administration’s agricultural transformation initiative that will include widening irrigation coverage, using better seeds, mechanizing farm activities, and utilizing appropriate fertilizers.
In addition, the Agriculture secretary is expected to continue the initiative of ensuring consumer protection by keeping a keen eye on illegal agricultural practices, particularly smuggling, hoarding, and price manipulation.
He also expressed his commitment to work closely with the concerned law enforcement agencies to sanction those who will engage in such illegalities.
