Marcos Jr., private sector map out food production strategy

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday engaged representatives from the private sector in discussions on strategies to ramp up agricultural production, including the extensive use of technology in farming, to ensure food security in the country.

“President Marcos met with representatives of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) this afternoon to discuss recommendations to increase local food production and supply,” the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) said in a post on Twitter.

Marcos, who is also the agriculture secretary, and the PSAC, led by tycoon Sabin Aboitiz, tackled the use of agricultural technology to boost food production as well as ways to extend financial assistance to farmers and help them transport their produce, the OPS said.

During the meeting at Malacañang, the President received recommendations from the PSAC on digital farming methods and supply chain improvement strategies that would boost the government’s food security program.

The PSAC also proposed a review of the policies and structure of the National Food Authority (NFA) to enable the agency to operate as a logistics hub and reduce losses for the government.

NFA is under the Department of Agriculture (DA) with the primary mandate of maintaining sufficient rice buffer stocks to be sourced solely from local farmers.

Marcos also made clear his plan for the institutionalization of the Department of Science and Technology’s digital platform Sarai that would provide agricultural stakeholders with site-specific crop advisories based on data gathered from the Diwata micro-satellite.

Through the DOST program, farmers and fisherfolk would be able to access real-time and updated information on farm conditions, including weather outlook, drought and flooding forecasting, disease detection and infestation.

Marcos also ordered the acceleration of replanting of coconut trees and distribution of seedlings as well as intercropping for better land use to improve the income of farmers.

The President also directed officials to strictly implement measures to control African swine fever, including the ban on all trucks carrying pigs and pork products from outside Panay region for 60 days.

He also asked the DA to review the Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN) law to revive salt farming as an additional livelihood for fisherfolk.

Republic Act 8172 or The ASIN Law requires the addition of iodine to salt intended for animal and human consumption to eradicate micronutrient malnutrition in the country.

On Thursday, Marcos told reporters he would remain as agriculture secretary for now to reorganize and solve “deeply embedded” issues in the department despite calls for him to appoint a full-time DA head.

“There are things that a President can do that a secretary cannot, especially because precisely the reason that you gave. The problems are so difficult that it will take a president to change and turn it around,” Marcos said.

Marcos said agriculture officials have expressed support for his move to remain as DA chief.

“I’m giving my full attention to the department. And the reason that I stay on up to now – I have actually raised the subject with some of the staff and the employees and the secretaries in the DA – and they asked me not to (step down),” said Marcos.

“Our problems in agriculture are very deeply embedded. This has happened in the past many years. So, it’s not that fast, it’s not that easy to return to our good system before. So, I think I am still needed there,” the Chief Executive said partly in Filipino.

When he assumed the presidency last June, Marcos said he wants the Philippines to attain food self-sufficiency by prioritizing local production over food importation. – Helen Flores