THE private sector came up with two recommendations on the improvement of the agriculture sector during the “Sulong Pilipinas” Philippine Development Forum of the Department of Finance (DOF).
In a statement, DOF said these recommendations are encouraging agricultural productivity through the use of new farming technologies and increasing farmers’ income through education and technical assistance. The agency did not release further details on the recommendations.
However, according to the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 mechanization still has a long way to go in the country despite being improved to 1.23 horsepower per hectare (hp/ha) for all crops and 2.31 hp/ha for rice and corn in 2011 from 0.52 hp/ha in the 1990s.
"Farm machinery and postharvest equipment and facilities are important to increase quantity and quality of produce," the PDP 2017-2022 states.
At present, one of the government’s effort in agricultural productivity is through Republic Act (RA) No. 10601 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law and is seen as a solution in increasing farmers’ income.
The law states that it “promotes development and adoption of modern, appropriate and cost-effective and environmentally-safe agricultural and fisheries machinery and equipment” in order to enhance farm productivity.
To complement agricultural productivity, under the newly-passed Rice Tarrification Act, a P10-billion budget will also be allocated in providing farmers with rice farm machineries in order to help increase yield.
Meanwhile, one of the strategies of the PDP 2017-2022 to improve the education and technical assistance of the farmers is to strengthen the agriculture extension system.
"The existing extension system will be strengthened through the engagement of a pool of professional extension workers that will provide technical and business advisory services," the PDP states.
Department of Finance (DOF) assistant secretary Antonio Joselito Lambino III said in a statement the recommendations were gathered from the recently concluded regional workshops conducted in Cebu City, San Fernando City in La Union, and Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga. The last leg of the forum was held in Davao City at SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier.
Sulong Pilipinas provides an opportunity for the Philippine economic team to create an avenue for discussion between the private sector and the government to talk about future development plans for the country.
Other recommendations the forum are the need to build more seaports, airports and mass-based transport systems; education accessibility especially for the poor; stricter profiling of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) recipients; and faster issuance of product registration licenses and certificates by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ranked fourth to sixth in the roster of recommendations. There are also recommendations on building more health centers and hospitals.
Sulong Pilipinas brought more than 2,000 business delegates especially from small and medium enterprises (SMEs). (GAD/DOF)