The Manila Times

Marcos sees PH as top agri resource hub

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is confident the Philippines will become the “leading agricultural resource hub” in the world as his administration stepped up efforts to develop the country’s agricultural industry.

In his speech during the opening ceremonies of the Agrilink/ Foodlink/Aqualink 2022 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, the President, who is also the secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA), stressed that “the strengthening of the agricultural sector is the strengthening of survival, the strengthening of life.”

He cited the need to continue to create more opportunities for farmers and fisherfolk, whom he described as the “bedrock of strength and of sustenance.”

“Because of them, we have food on our tables; because of them, we have the sustenance we need to pursue our endeavors for the betterment of our nation,” Marcos said.

The President said now is the time to again lay the path for the country’s agricultural industrialization, saying “this is a good first step for all of us to once again introduce ourselves to each other and to find the way forward with the new global economy.”

“As an agricultural country and an archipelagic country, food products from our farms and fisheries depend mostly on the dynamics of time and season. On better days, our agricultural and fishing sectors yield harvests that contribute to the growth of our economy and no less than feed our people,” he said.

“But at the worst of times, particularly during droughts, during storms, and other disasters or calamities, we not only encounter insufficient supply and inflation but also run the risk of an insufficient food supply. It is thus commendable that, in its previous iterations, this event has yielded various innovations and recommended solutions that help make our agriculture sector more robust and more resilient,” he said.

Marcos cited government initiatives to improve the plight of agricultural workers, such as the expansion of irrigation infrastructure, rice farmers’ financial assistance, fuel discount program, and other quick response measures.

He said he had decided to take on the portfolio as Agriculture secretary, in a bid to ensure the stability of food supply and prices in the country.

He reiterated his plan to pursue partnerships for the development of the agricultural sector, noting that having a “more resilient” and “more robust” agriculture is key to economic prosperity.

“Now that we are beginning to see the shape of the new normal, I assure you that this administration is one with you in fulfilling our goals and targets for the agricultural sector. We will build ourselves back better, together with the people who have been our bedrock of strength and of sustenance even [during] the most challenging times,” he said.

The President also commended the organizers and participants of the 27th Agrilink/Foodlink/Aqualink trade fairs, saying it is an honor to work with them in pushing for “holistic” approaches that will improve the agricultural industry.

The fair, organized by the Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development, is the country’s largest, most influential and internationally recognized trade exhibition on agriculture, food and aquaculture.

=Trade events like the fair help improve the agricultural value chain and aid in the overall development of the small and medium-scale enterprises in the agribusiness sector through the creation of market opportunities, the President said.

Over 500 indoor trades, retail booths and outdoor booths showcasing agribusiness products, information, technologies, market linkages, promotion, equipment and services are participating in the exhibition that will be held from October 6 to 8.

This year’s theme of the event is “Inclusive Growth in Agribusiness Chain: Key to Stability.”

The Caraga Region takes the spotlight, focusing on the roadmap toward enhancing the competitiveness of its three high-value crops — cocoa, coffee and abaca.

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2022-10-07T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-10-07T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://digitaledition.manilatimes.net/article/281582359523234

The Manila Times