MANILA – Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) officer-in-charge Secretary Rosalina Bistoyong on Wednesday hailed the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) for playing a vital role in spurring rural development in the region.
Speaking at the “Agribusiness Forum” held at the Hotel Jen in Pasay City, Bistoyong said the regional organization has become a platform for sharing knowledge, diverse experiences and innovative practices that each of the 15 member countries could adopt to enhance their agriculture-based business enterprises.
“As entrepreneurs, small farmers and fisherfolk can create greater economic activities, which reinforce our belief that agribusiness indeed plays an integral role in pursuit of sustainable rural development,” she said.
CIRDAP is a regional cooperation that acts as a servicing institution for its member states; encourages joint collective activities to benefit the member countries, both individually and collectively; and addresses poverty alleviation through people’s participation in the development process.
It is slated to convene its 21st Governing Council Meeting on Friday (Oct. 13) at Hotel Jen following the opening rites.
Bistoyong also urged that a more concerted and mutual collaboration and cooperation between and among CIRDAP member countries is needed to make it happen.
She also disclosed the country’s blueprint to attain food security, leading up to driving the country towards industrial development under the Comprehensive National Industrial Strategy (CNIS).
Bistoyong presented the CNIS, wherein the country has embarked on “an ambitious plan of becoming a regional manufacturing, service and agribusiness hub starting 2022”.
The DAR chief also noted CIRDAP’s vital role to attain the “ambitious undertaking” as it contributes to understanding one’s strengths and weaknesses through sharing of knowledge and diverse experiences and practices.
Senator Cynthia A. Villar, speaking through her Chief of Staff lawyer Reggie Tamana, also offered a two-fold strategy to enhance the agricultural sector’s global competitiveness in line with the economic reintegration under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community or AEC.
“First, we need to ensure long-term food security, and second, improve the livelihood of small farmers and fisherfolk in Asia and the Pacific through agribusiness enterprises,” she said in a statement.
Villar, who also chairs the Upper House’s Committee on Agriculture and Food, stressed that “food security is the priority agenda if we are to meet the challenges of the growing global population.”
The senator underscored that food security is a multi-dimensional concept that encompasses agricultural production, trade, income, food quality, clean water, sanitation, governance and political stability.
DAR and forum participants said delegates from the 15 member countries were impressed with and have placed orders on the locally-processed products of farmers’ cooperatives that were put on display during the conference.
They also said that the delegates were awed by the success stories, especially the so-called “rags-to-riches” testimonials shared by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and farmers’ cooperatives.
They added that the inspiring stories captivated the attendees, citing “there is hope, given the important value of working together and learning the ropes on value chain from production stage to the marketing of farm produce.” (Saul Pa-a/PNA)
