The country has sufficient food supply as the transport of goods remains unhampered during the pandemic, while the prices of rice have become more affordable to the public.
In his report to the public on Aug. 9, Department of Agriculture (DA) Sec. William Dar said the average cost of regular milled rice at P38 and well-milled rice at P40 was maintained due to the Rice Tariffication Law that was signed in February 2019.
“Sumatotal, sapat po ang suplay ng bigas sa buong bansa nitong taon at sa mga susunod pang panahon… Sa gulay naman po, maganda ang suplay at presyo sa simula ng taon… Sa karne naman po, bumababa na ang presyo ng baboy,” Dar said.
Dar said the decline in pork prices after an increase caused by the African Swine Fever (ASF) was due to Executive Orders 133 and 134 that lowered tariffs and allowed expanded imported pork volumes.
“Ito [ay] temporary po lamang hangga’t maibalik natin ang dating imbentaryong local hog industries sa pamamagitan nang pinaigting na repopulation program,” he said.
Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita stores
Affordable food products were also made available to the public through Kadiwa stores which now have 30 sites in Metro Manila. The goods sold in the outlets are sourced from 44,127 farmers and fisherfolks cooperatives nationwide.
The nationwide total sales of the outlets are estimated at P8 billion. Local government units have also bought goods worth P2.7 billion from the said outlets for their food assistance.
Plant, Plant, Plant flagship project
The DA said the highest palay production in the country’s history was achieved in 2020 at 19.4 million metric tons, as results of the National Rice Program and Rice Tariffication Law.
Palay harvests during the first semester of the year were also the highest in history at 8.8 million metric tons, to meet the national target palay production to 20.4 million metric tons.
The RTL also provides a P10 billion yearly fund for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to boost palay production and farmers’ earnings.
“Ang 10 bilyong piso po ay ginagamit para makabili ng makinarya at binhi na ibinibigay natin ng libre sa mga samahan ng magsasaka ng palay. Ginagamit din po ang bahagi ng RCEF bilang pautang at gastusin sa pagsasanay ng ating mga magsasaka,” Dar said.
Corn production had a record-high of 6 million metric tons in 2020, while the highest export volume of bananas had its highest in 2019.
“Naging 90% self-sufficient naman tayo sa sibuyas, at umaabante na rin ang produksyon ng kape, cacao,” Dar said.
More ‘ayuda’
The DA said the Rice Farmer Financial Assistance in 2019 and the Financial Subsidy for Rice Farmers in 2020 provided two sets of cash assistance to 544,490 and 536,000 farmers, respectively.
The Cash and Food Subsidy for Marginal Farmers and Fisherfolk also assisted 800,000 non-rice farmers in 2020.
Due to the excess tariffs collected by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in 2019 and 2020 which amounted to P6.7 billion, many farmers will be able to receive additional assistance starting this October.
“Ito po’y ipamimigay bilang ayuda sa mga magsasaka ng palay na may sinasakang dalawang ektarya at pababa simula ngayong Oktubre. Isa at kalahating milyong magsasaka po ang makikinabang sa ayudang ito,” Dar said.
The Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act that allows utilization of Coco levy funds will directly benefit 2.5 million coconut farmers and their families.
Loans, equipment
Dar said 29,620 fiberglass boats were given to fisherfolk to increase municipal fishery production, while 680 community fish landing centers and 60 regional and municipal fish ports were also upgraded. He added that 2,400 urban gardens were also established.
At least P12.3 billion were also lent to farmers, fisherfolks, small cooperatives, and associations to support their agricultural programs and livelihood.
At least P26.04 million worth of Kapital Access for Young Agripreneurs (KAYA) loans has been released to 82 micro and small enterprises, while there are 11,267 scholars under the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Grant-in-Aid in Higher Education Program.
A total of 5,753 graduated with BS, MS, and doctorate degrees.
Around 4,108 kilometers of farm-to-market roads were also established nationwide, together with 49,154 small-scale irrigation projects, and 78 kilometers of irrigation canals.
Battling ASF
Dar said the signing of Proclamation No. 1143 this year declaring a state of calamity due to ASF intensified the monitoring and surveillance system on hog raising.
“Bumababa na po ang bilang ng mga barangay na may African Swine Fever sa 29 na lamang po. Sumatotal, doon sa mga bayan na apektado ng ASF, 468 na na mga bayan ang wala nang naitalang kaso ng ASF sa nakaraang tatlong buwan,” he said.
“Sa mga dating naapektuhang lugar, may na-declare na tayong ASF-free noong Hulyo na limang bayan at isang lungsod sa Batangas. Mayroon na rin po tayong bakuna na sinusubukan,” he added. – AG-bny
