One of the problems that confront our farmers is the lack of post-harvest facilities, from the very staple rice and corn to a more complex and highly perishable vegetables and even meat storage and processing.
Earlier this week our network Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa pag-unlad ng Agrikultura’s Mindanao branch (MASIPAG Mindanao) successfully concluded its 13th Regional Assembly at the Lantaw Bukid Farm Resort in Tugbok District, Davao City.
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.
The on-going war against illegal drugs and the summary killings placed the Duterte administration in a very precarious situation as it gains infamy. In less than a year in power, Duterte gathered more enemies from the “yellow” liberals to the conservative Catholics.
However, the track of the current programs in the agriculture department slowly starting to deviate from these promises.
We raise our hopes and welcome the positive developments of the Duterte administration, but it is important not to lose sight and focus on substantive points, let us not allow the derailments of international and local reactionaries.
