WITH President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. himself heading the Department of Agriculture, we expect dramatic changes in the way the government handles the agriculture sector.
The use of technologies should be intensified to facilitate the modernization of the agriculture and fisheries (AF) sector. After all, we already have the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) or Republic Act 8435, the country’s landmark legislation on the sustainable and equitable development of its agriculture and fisheries sector.
Programs that promote modern technologies should be institutionalized as the sector already has existing technologies. They are simply not being used to the fullest.
The Philippines could also get ideas from neighboring countries regarding how they utilize technologies in their AF sector. If we can copy some of the neighboring countries’ technologies, why not?
Some of our farming practices have not changed. Modern technologies can help farmers cope with the country’s modernization efforts in the AF sector.
We have small lands, so modern technologies, particularly high production technologies, should be implemented.
The private sector is certainly willing to help. The government should involve them in crafting plans, strategies, and programs related to AFMA.
Clustering crop farms and linking them to established companies for further assistance would be good. It is like a “big brother” approach wherein an established business entity is at the top of these farmers and fisherfolk clusters, organizing them and providing inputs and technologies. Clustering or the consolidation of farms would help achieve economies of scale in the AF sector.
