Alcala urges farmers to participate in grassroots consultations

MANILA, Philippines - Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala urged farmers to take part in grassroots consultations held by the government in crafting policies for the farm sector.

The agriculture chief said farmers and fisherfolk provide valuable first hand information that could effectively guide policy-makers.

“Your participation will enable us to craft effective policies and programs that cater to the agro-fishery sector. In this way, you can better experience how the national government, especially DA, cares for farmers and fishers,” he said.

He assured them that the department “will continue to stand by its mandate by helping the sector, notably the smallholders, prosper amidst climate change challenges and increased competition in the global market.”

The government’s agricultural policy programs, he said, are being streamlined to be responsive to the upcoming economic integration in Southeast Asia in 2015.

“It means providing the necessary support, technical capacity and facilities to enable Filipino food producers compete in a globalized trading center,” said Alcala.

The DA is grooming several competitive farm sectors for increased trade competition such as corn, poultry and livestock.

Corn is seen as a competitive crop as the farmers produce it all-year-round.

The department sees bright prospects for the livestock and poultry industries which both remain free from foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza.

As neighboring Asian countries grapple with the spread of these animal diseases, the Philippines has the opportunity to export various meat products.

The department has already begun funding the construction of export-oriented slaughterhouses in strategic animal-raising areas such as Tarlac and Batangas.

The National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) has also tightened the regulations for meat imports to curb smuggling and to stop the entry of meat products that are of questionable quality.