Farmers need govt support to produce high-value crops
Before the government was sidetracked by the Covid-19 pandemic, it had been preparing to implement interventions aimed at improving the competitiveness of the local rice sector. one of the interventions being considered is to encourage farmers to plant high-value crops under the draft Philippine rice Industry roadmap (Prir). the crafting of the road map was mandated by the rice liberalization law, which took effect on March 5 last year (See, “Rice farmers in 23 provinces to plant other crops—prir”, in the Businessmirror, October 7, 2019).
Under the government’s plan, areas that are not competitive in terms of rice production will be transitioned to high-value crops, such as banana, coconuts, and high-value vegetables. Provinces where rice production is more cost-efficient will benefit from programs aimed at helping planters become more competitive. Republic Act 11203, or the rice trade liberalization law, mandates that productivity-enhancement programs for rice farmers seeking to diversify production into other crops may be funded by tariff collections from rice imports exceeding P10 billion.
The production of high-value crops, which command higher prices, is expected to boost the income of farmers and, at the same time, increase the supply of nutritious food items. These food items can be sold directly to consumers or delivered to manufacturers in need of raw materials. Consumers who want to eat healthy stand to benefit from more vegetables and fruits available in the market.
Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, vegetables including ampalaya, string beans, carrots and habichuelas were sold at P45 to P90 per kilogram in regional trading centers. PSA data also indicated that certain fruits like bananas and mangoes were priced at P60 to P100 per kilogram. Residents in urban areas, such as those in the National Capital Region, pay more for these food items, based on figures released by the PSA as of the fourth week of June.
The Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdowns, which restricted mobility, may have been partly responsible for the increase in the prices of fruits and vegetables compared to the January data. However, the figures recorded in the fourth week of June are not expected to go down drastically in the coming months because experts have recommended the consumption of these food items to strengthen the immune system. The opening of platforms allowing contactless payments and online purchases has also given consumers the means to gain access to these food products during the pandemic.
The government should promote the planting of high-value crops, such as fruits and vegetables, in areas where these can be suitably grown. It should also give farmers adequate support in the form of free seeds and technical assistance. Now is the best time to push for the shift to high-value crops while awareness on the importance of eating healthy is high. Along with the promotion of growing crops other than rice, government should also encourage farmers to add value to their produce so they don’t have to throw away any surplus food products when there’s a bountiful harvest.