Dar cites LGU role in agriculture development

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has reiterated the importance of local government units (LGUs) to enable the country’s agriculture sector to be globally competitive.

During the general assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), Agriculture Secretary William Dar said that the development of the sector is a challenge too big for the agency to face alone.

“We need you in our advocacy to transform Philippine agriculture into a resilient, modern, industrialized and globally-competitive sector,” Dar said.

He  urged LGUs to remain strong partners of the DA in boosting the productivity of their respective farming and fishing communities and increase incomes of small farmers and fisherfolk.

He cited that the implementation of the Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Systems (PAFES) established a strong collaboration not only between the DA and LGUs, but as well as the private sector to bring extension services to the grassroots level.

“The COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis are a siren call for innovation, collaboration, and exchange. Our farmers and fishers rely on us, thus we must work closely for their benefit and other agri-fishery industry players,” Dar said.

The Agriculture chief also shared the departments’ OneDA Reform Agenda with its four pillars of consolidation, modernization, industrialization and professionalization, and 18 key strategies, which aim to make the agriculture sector globally competitive, food secure and resilient.

“Vision is what makes one act with passion and purpose. Vision provides us with a clear objective, and with consistency, it makes us progressive. In the current situation of our country, it is important to have a clear vision of what we want to achieve short- or long-term,” Dar said.

He suggested a 10-point agenda that the LGUs could embrace including the use of food systems approach, farm and fisheries consolidation and clustering, and agri-industrialization.

The DA chief also cited the development of commodity industries under agenda, which can be done by identifying champion commodities and enhancing the industries where the LGU has the comparative advantage.

In addition, Dar also suggested that LGUs work on export development and promotion by producing what is highly marketable, and  promote crop diversification for export.

Other recommendations that should be part of the agenda of LGUs include the strengthening of climate change resiliency, investing in climate-proof infrastructure facilities, and the promotion of balanced fertilization strategies and digital agriculture.