By Stephanie Sevillano | Philippine News Agency
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday it will prioritize the construction of farm infrastructures in 2025 to benefit more farmers and fishers.
In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said they would propose a budget of around P513.81 billion, or more than double its current budget of P208.58 billion.
“[The budget proposal] is still a work in progress but clearly shows the direction where we are headed,” Laurel said.
In particular, the DA plans to request P287.98 billion for its attached corporations, including the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Food Authority (NFA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), and the National Dairy Authority (NDA); while around P225.83 billion shall be requested for the modernization and agricultural smuggling crackdown efforts of DA’s bureaus.
The majority of the targeted expenditure shall be allocated for the rice subsector equivalent to 57 percent of P294.21 billion.
This shall be followed by the fisheries subsector with P50.6 billion; locally-funded projects with P45.48 billion; and other remaining proposed funds for other subsectors including high-value crops, livestock, corn, and credit programs, among others.
Out of the DA’s approved budget this year, P114.28 billion is allotted for the agency proper while P94.30 is earmarked for its eight attached agencies.
Laurel earlier said the DA needs to secure P93 billion for the improvement of post-harvest facilities alone, which in turn, shall lower rice and corn wastage in the country.
To date, about 12% to 15% of local rice production is wasted due to a lack of post-harvest facilities, according to the DA.
