State of local agri and fisheries – DA view

In response to readers’ comments on our column on agriculture problems in the country, the Department of Agriculture through Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Atty. Bernie Fondevilla sent this letter. In the interest of hearing all sides, we are printing it.

“This refers to the column … on the state of Philippine agriculture and fisheries, which appeared in the Feb. 8 issue.

“Contrary to the comments of certain Star readers that Mr. Gamboa had mentioned in his column, President Arroyo has actually reversed the decades-old official neglect of the farm sector with her sustained, unprecedented levels of public investments in agriculture and fisheries since she took over in 2001.

“Higher spending on the Arroyo watch has led to continued domestic farm growth despite international developments that have undermined global agricultural production in recent years.

“In the palay subsector, for instance, growth has averaged 4.07 percent under the Arroyo administration as against the 2.89 percent level during the 1990-2000 period. One clear proof that our country is on our way to rice self-sufficiency is that annual imports have been gradually declining despite the yearly increase in our population.

“It is our hope that the DA can keep its food sufficiency targets on track with the full-scale implementation of President Arroyo’s FIELDS program to attain food security and sufficiency in the medium term. FIELDS stands for the six areas of agriculture into which the government is pouring its support, namely, Fertilizer, Irrigation and other rural infrastructure, Extension services and education for farmers, Loans, Dryers and other postharvest facilities, and Seeds and other genetic materials.

“We recognize the concerns raised by readers mentioned by Mr. Gamboa in his column. However, we have to point out that our government cannot achieve its food security and sufficiency targets overnight owing to such factors beyond the DA’s control such as climate change, a high population growth rate, and the unbridled conversion of farmlands into non-agricultural uses.

“The devastation that the series of typhoons from Ondoy to Santi inflicted on Philippine agriculture and fisheries last year is clear proof that weather abnormalities induced by climate change has become the No. 1 threat to farm production not only in the Philippines but in the rest of the world as well.

“Under the leadership of Secretary Arthur Yap, the DA is intensifying this year’s implementation of FIELDS to sustain the growth of Philippine agriculture and fisheries amid the threats posed not only by climate change but of increasing global free trade as well.”

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at reydgamboa@yahoo.com. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.