The appointment of a farmer to one of the highest post in the Duterte administration was unprecedented. Rafael Mariano a farmer-leader and a former legislator who took office on June 30, 2016 as Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
As our agriculture program focuses more on “cash crops” the local food crops will become marginalized
Growing up in gold-rich Compostela Valley was an adventure filled childhood. We used to play in the rivers, collecting and inspecting stones to look for gold, mimicking old people looking for fortune. One very popular mineral back then that we were so fascinated was pyrite. It has the appearance of a polished gold, more of a fancy jewelry with all its luster. However, pyrite is known as fool’s gold.
After one year in power, it is vital for us Filipinos to pay attention to the performance of the Duterte administration. This is my objective assessment on the current administration’s program on agriculture as a fundamental sector in the country.
At the end of the day, if we look forward to a self-sufficient agriculture, we must have a sufficient plan that is rooted from our farmers.