Quezon City – The newly appointed Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., expressed his commitment on Monday to conduct nationwide visits for a firsthand understanding of the conditions facing farmers and fisherfolk.
According to Philippines News Agency, during a press briefing at the DA headquarters, his leadership will prioritize bolstering food production and advancing the modernization of the agricultural sector. Laurel announced, "Sa mga susunod na araw iikot po ako sa halos lahat ng probinsya at kakausapin ko diretso ang mga farmer and fishermen. Gusto kong marinig ng personal kung ano 'yung kailangan nila, ano 'yung hinaing nila at ano 'yung nakikita nilang vision nila. Gusto kong makita ang kalagayan nila," indicating his plan to engage directly with the agricultural and fishing communities to hear their needs, grievances, and visions.
The DA's new chief underscored that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive is to modernize agriculture to achieve food security, reduce import reliance, and improve the socio-economic status of farmers and fisherfolk by 2028. Laurel emphasized the modernization as a key to making agriculture more profitable and attractive to the youth, which is vital for long-term food security.
Laurel also pointed out the necessity to tackle alleged price manipulation and smuggling to maintain a stable supply and pricing of agricultural products. He noted that the DA will work closely with law enforcement to combat illegal trading activities.
Stressing the importance of collaborative efforts, Laurel called for unity in the agricultural sector to reach common goals, stating, "I'm ready to work but I can't do this alone. I need your full cooperation and teamwork for us to achieve our targets."
In response to a query about prioritizing rice production, Laurel clarified that while rice is a staple, other sectors like livestock, poultry, fisheries, and high-value crops are also vital and need governmental support.
Furthermore, the peasant advocacy group Katarungan set forth their expectations from Laurel, voicing hopes for substantial improvements in support services, infrastructure, marketing, and value-added processing for farmers. Katarungan Secretary-General Danny Carranza communicated their aspiration for the new DA leader to effectively address these long-standing agricultural challenges.
Agriculture is a critical sector in the Philippines, contributing around 10 percent to the national economy and employing a quarter of the workforce.