By Katrina Gracia Consebido
The Department of Agriculture said Wednesday, May 18, that it is monitoring the looming food crisis in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ukraine war, and the continuing oil price hike.
In the Laging Handa briefing, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the recently launched National Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization and Industrialization Plan (NAFMIP) will be a directional plan in handling big challenges on food crisis.
“Ang mundo ngayon ay mayroon tayong mino-monitor na looming food crisis gawa ng COVID-19 pandemic, iyong Ukraine war at saka iyong pagtataas ng presyo ng petroleum,” he said.
“So, iyon ang nakikita natin, at marami na ring eksperto ang nagsasabi na there is a looming food crisis. Tayo naman sa Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka ay handa tayo, kasi mayroon na tayong plano, directional plan to handle these big challenges,” he added.
The directional plan will prepare the country if the food insecurity will further expand in the future.
A part of the plan is ramping up Philippine agriculture to sustain recovery and growth in the agricultural sector.
“Itong plano na ito is to consider three stages – iyong rebooting Philippine agriculture towards recovery and growth, iyong resilient and sustainable agriculture – iyon po ang nilalaman,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dar asked for additional funds to support their programs that will prevent food insecurity.
“Dagdagan dapat po ang pondo ng gobyerno nitong Department of Agriculture para iyong focused areas ng, say, Plant Plant Plant Program Part 2, kagaya ng pamimigay natin ng fertilizer subsidy; additionally, iyong urban and peri-urban agriculture; iyong local feed production; iyong food mobilization; aquaculture and fisheries – ito iyong focused areas,” he said.
Dar said they are already coordinating with the local government units to improve agricultural production and boost the level of food production in the country. – ag
