Bong Go: Agri crucial in Filipinos’ recovery from Covid-19 crisis
SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Saturday called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) to assist more agriculture- and fishery-based micro and small enterprises (MSEs) to boost food security as part of government efforts to help Filipinos recover from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.
“With the current crisis caused by Covid- 19, several industries were affected, but food supply should continue. I am appealing to the Department of Agriculture to help the farmers and the fisherfolks in order to ensure that there will be sufficient food for every Filipino family,” Go said in Filipino.
According to the DA, through its Agricultural Credit Policy Council, the agency continues to enhance the provision of concessionary loans to marginal small farmers and fishers, including agri- based MSEs through the Expanded SURE Aid and Recovery Project.
Go said the DA should further promote its initiatives to meet its target beneficiaries, most especially as the government prepares to implement the Balik Probinsya, Balik Pag- asa Program after the health crisis.
Go also commended the DA for acting on his previous appeal to encourage local government units (LGUs) to buy agri-produce from local farmers and farmer- cooperatives that can be included in their relief operations for their constituents.
“There were LGUs that distributed vegetables, fruits and fish in their relief operations. This is an additional help to the farmers and fisherfolks so they could earn, and relief goods that were provided to Filipinos in need are nutritious,” Go said.
Since then, the DA has been coordinating and urging LGUs to purchase relief goods directly from farmers and farmers’ cooperatives. As of June 1, 425 LGUs purchased fresh produce from farmers for distribution as relief goods.
Meanwhile, to provide proper education and technical or vocational skills training in agriculture, the Agricultural Training Institute ( ATI) is collaborating with different state universities and colleges and the Department of Education to produce modules and classes focusing on sustainable agriculture.
“Especially now that the crisis has affected our economy, we are ‘back to the basics.’ We have seen how important agriculture is to our country and to our livelihood,” Go said.
“Our economy can fast recover if we strengthen our agriculture sector in the provinces,” he added.
ATI is also partnering with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to develop training regulations for grains production, organic agriculture and artificial insemination.
Go urged the ATI to further collaborate with more state colleges and organizations to look into urban farming and how to cope with the growing demand for food both in big cities and in provinces.
“We have seen how the pandemic broke the global supply chains of the food sector. Now is the time to ensure that we are self-sustaining and reduce our dependence on global trade when it comes to food. Now, more than ever, we need to promote and support food security and agriculture in the country,” he said.
The DA is implementing various programs to ensure increased food productivity, including the provision of various inputs, such as machinery, tools, and equipment to agricultural workers; and the provision of low- or zero- interest credit and establishment of credit facilities, such as Sikat Saka Program for rice and corn farmers, Survival and Recovery Loan for victims of calamities, and Production Loan Easy Access for crops, livestock, fisheries projects.
The DA also provides free training and seminars on rice production, modern rice farming techniques, seed production and farm mechanization to farmers; and implements the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Marketing Program which establishes a direct link between the farmers/ fisherfolk and the consuming public, ensuring that farmers get the best prices for their goods, while providing affordable, safe, and nutritious produce to Filipino consumers.