Industry Backs Farm Initiatives, Flags Food Security Concerns

MANILA, Philippines — Industry stakeholders welcomed the government’s initiatives to support Filipino farmers and fishers, however they raised concerns about the sustainability of its food security agenda. The Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI) described President Marcos’ fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) as “quite comprehensive and impressive.” READ: WATCH: Expert weighs in on key agriculture issues ahead of Marcos’ Sona PCAFI President Danilo Fausto questioned how the government would sustain its highly subsidized different programs amid limited fiscal space. “However, it is worrisome to think how the government will fund and sustain the highly subsidized different programs due to increased fiscal deficit and national debt, especially with the corresponding removal of some revenue measures to fund the government programs,” Fausto said. “We also find it short on the discussion regarding food security by developing further the agri sector, including the potential and opportunities in exports of new agri export product winners,” he added. Likewise, Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) welcomed the continued implementation of the subsidised rice program, the distribution of agricultural land to eligible farmer-beneficiaries, and improvements in postharvest facilities. “However, we hope that the same level of government support and subsidy being provided to sustain the P20 rice program will likewise be extended to our rice farmers, who remain the backbone of our nation’s food security,” SInag Executive Director Jayson Cainglet said. Cainglet urged the government to strengthen the National Food Authority’s (NFA) financial capacityto procure palay (unmilled rice), help protect local rice production, and stabilise farm-gate prices. He also urged Congress to earmark at least P50 billion for palay procurement. “Such an investment would allow the NFA to purchase a significantly larger share of domestic production, provide farmers with a reliable buyer at fair prices, strengthen the country’s buffer stock, and reduce excessive dependence on private market players,” he added. Although the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk and Families has provided some relief,Cainglet said the financial aid “has not matched the magnitude of the challenges confronting Philippine agriculture.” READ: DA: Gov’t seeks bigger income for farmers, fisherfolk He also called for greater transparency in trade negotiations with the European Union, Canada and Chile. According to Cainglet, stakeholders need to understand each trade deal’s provisions, particularly proposals to further reduce tariffs on agricultural commodities. “Any agreement must ensure a level playing field, preserve policy space to support local producers, and strengthen—rather than weaken—our capacity to feed our own people. Further tariff reductions under new Free Trade Agreements, without adequate safeguards for domestic producers, risk inflicting even greater damage on Philippine agriculture,” Cainglet said. /pai INQ