Thursday, June 28, 2007 Land reform farmers eye ties with Benguet counterparts
A STRONGER alliance among farmers is seen as among the key solutions to give them a stronger voice and representation in the deliberation of policies concerning the agriculture industry.
The Federation of Land Reform Farmers (FLRF) has offered to partner with agricultural producers in Benguet to build a stronger alliance in their struggle against the government's policy on importation.
The federation has stepped into the Benguet farmer's plight against the importation of vegetables, which, as the farmers claim, has been depriving them of their major livelihood.
Ramon Tagle, national president of the FLRF, said farmers' groups need a stronger alliance to have a stronger voice and representation in the drafting of policies on importation.
"The federation wants to help the Benguet farmers in voicing out their sentiments to the government," Tagle told reporters.
Tagle recently met with some industry leaders in Benguet, particularly to discuss matters relating to the much-opposed pest risk analysis (PRA) on carrots from China.
"We believe farmers should be well-represented in the conduct of the PRA since they are the direct casualty here," he said.
Established in 1973, the FLRF is composed of farmers' associations, including fisherfolk, vegetable and flower growers.
