Budget cut to impact on productivity, says DA

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture said a cut in its 2018 budget will likely affect productivity and delay the government’s efforts to achieve rice self-sufficiency in three years.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the proposed P213-billion budget allocation for 2018 might not be given and could be further reduced.

“During our last meeting, they (Department of Budget and Management) reduced allocations for our rice and corn, and other programs. The budget ceiling was low that’s why I reacted,” Piñol said on the sidelines of yesterday’s signing of the memorandum of understanding between the DA and the Go Negosyo team.

The rice and corn program is among the priorities of the DA which will get the biggest chunk of the proposed budget. Other programs include mechanization, small scale irrigation and financing.

"We might not be able to achieve our commitment to provide enough food in the country. But I will have to argue and convince the financial managers," he said.

This year, the DA has a budget allocation of P46 billion.

“Compare that to the almost P700 billion of the education sector or the estimated P600 billion of Public Works and Highways. The P46 billion, which may even be reduced in 2018, is even smaller than the budget for the 4Ps program which gives out financial subsidy to the poor families of this country in the amount of P54 billion for 2017,” Piñol said.

The Agri chief said he would seek the support of President Duterte to reconsider his proposed budget.

“I will show it (budget proposal) to the President. I rely on the promise of the President when he told me that I will get the funding support that I need,” Piñol said.

Furthermore, Pinol was dismayed at the fund utilization of some regional offices. Current fund utilization greatly affects the budget allocation for every department each year.

“There was underspending in some (regions) for the first quarter. So I decided that any regional office that cannot breach the 90 percent utilization will be taken out,” he said.

The DA and non-profit organization Go Negosyo inked an agreement on the launch of the Kapatid Agri Mentor Me Program (KAMMP) which will serve as a complement to the department’s initiatives to sustain and scale-up the country’s agri-business sector.

The program aims to equip agripreneurs with proper production techniques, mindset and values, practical knowledge and strategies and consultation services to foster successful and sustainable agri-enterprises.