DA-SUCs deal to scale up farm sector modernization

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has entered into an agreement with state universities and colleges (SUCs) on the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) to intensify research and development on Philippine agriculture and fisheries modernization.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said SUCs, given their wide range of expertise, could contribute hugely to the modernization of the country’s agriculture sector.

“Whatever you are upscaling through technology commercialization must be assisted by a state-of-the-art R&D (research and development) facility of the region,” he said.

Dar has instructed the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), DA’s coordinating arm for R&D, to solicit, screen and evaluate grant proposals from the SUCs.

ACEF, which was enacted to serve as a “safety net” against the effects of the trade liberalization policies of the government, is a loan program that provides credit to farmers and fisherfolk, their associations and cooperatives, and macro- and small-scale enterprises to increase agrifishery productivity and competitiveness.

Under Republic Act 10848, or the “ACEF Extension Law,” 10 percent of the ACEF is allocated as grant to fund agrifishery research and development activities of qualified SUCs, including commercialization and upgrading of research facilities.

“We call for more proposals from the SUCs for ACEF R&D,” said DA Assistant Secretary for Special Affairs and concurrent BAR Director Nicomedes Eleazar.

Under its new leadership, the DA is banking on its “new thinking” strategy that aims to empower farmers, fishers and private sectors to increase productivity and profitability through agriculture sustainability and resilience. Such initiatives will focus on trading, marketing and value-adding activities, among others.

Dar said the DA would focus on growth and development on eight paradigms: modernization of agriculture; industrialization of agriculture; promotion of exports; farm consolidation; roadmap development; infrastructure development; higher budget and investments for agriculture; and legislative support.

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ