Agriculture Secretary Laurel launches 8-point plan to make farming, fisheries more bankable

At a Cabinet meeting last week, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. announced a comprehensive plan “to increase agricultural productivity, lower food cost, ensure food security, and make farming and fisheries a more bankable investment alternative.”

The eight-point plan includes: “1) expand and improve available agri-fishery areas to increase production; 2) mechanize and modernize agriculture and fishery production systems; 3) develop and improve post-harvest systems and infrastructures; 4) develop efficient logistics systems for input and production output; 5) improve and expand market access; 6) digitalization; 7) proper balancing of both the development and regulatory role of the Department of Agriculture; and 8) strong partnership with farmers, fisherfolk, and the private sector.”

He emphasized the importance of ending decades of inequity that have consigned majority of farmers and fisherfolk to poverty and penury, unable to reap and enjoy the fruits of their hard labor. His vision is “to modernize Philippine agriculture to spread benefits across  the entire value chain.”

Production areas in both land and water will be expanded to accommodate  new irrigation facilities, just as existing infrastructures will be improved.
A multi-year ₱93 billion program has been started to build post-harvest facilities that will “increase rice and corn inventory by 23 days to help lessen grain imports without increasing production areas.” Equally vital is the move to modernize logistics, and thereby reduce chronic losses in agricultural produce. An assistant secretary for logistics will be designated as the point person who will focus on “streamlining transportation, distribution and management processes for inputs and outputs,” according to Secretary Laurel.

Another key priority is the digitalization of operations such that “accurate and real-time data will enable stakeholders to make smarter, data-driven decisions and efficiently manage emergencies and day-to-day operations.” Legislative reforms are being lined up to update certain laws and regulations that will allow the agency to act more nimbly and respond more timely to challenges facing the farm and fisheries sector.”

One of the first things he did, upon assuming office, was to set the record straight with regard to his academic credentials: “I never finished my education because I became a father at 19. I needed to work to support my eldest child. My father impressed upon me that my responsibility as a father comes first,” he  said. His efforts contributed to growing and expanding the family’s flagship company, Frabelle, “from a simple fishing operation to a conglomerate that now includes power generation, real estate development, meat and seafood processing, cold chain network, aquaculture, and ship building and repair” — from which he has since divested upon entering public office.

He began his watch by doing a walkabout in the countryside and reached out to as many stakeholders, especially, farmers and fisher folk in almost every province, to “listen to their needs, their complaints, and their vision.” Then he crafted the plan that he unveiled last week. He is determined to carry out President Marcos’ “marching order to modernize agriculture” because when this is achieved, “we could make it a profitable venture and attract a younger generation that would ensure the country’s food security in the decades to come.”