THE government needs to manage the agriculture sector less for the benefit of big business and more for rural residents, while dropping the Rice Tariffication Act, which has harmed farmers, according to Ibon Foundation, a left-leaning research organization.
Describing agriculture as being in a state of “chronic crisis” due to long-term government neglect, it said: “Immediate steps government should take to arrest the agriculture crisis is to wipe off if not significantly reduce all forms of loans including amortization for awarded lands, and to substantially increase support and subsidies for the agriculture and agrarian reform sectors,” it said in a statement.
It said the Rice Tariffication Act should be suspended because it hinders domestic production and threatens the livelihood of Filipino farmers.
“To truly strengthen domestic agriculture, government needs to implement long-term policies that prioritize rural development over big business interests,” Ibon Foundation added.
Asked to comment, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) director-general Ernesto M. Pernia noted that the law intends to make rice affordable, and will drive the farm sector to diversify.
The law aims “to make rice more affordable for the poor, help boost rice productivity and crop diversification and raise incomes of farmers, not at all for country to be dependent on imports,” he said in a text message.
Also approached for comment, Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said that the government is exerting more effort to improve the condition of the sector.
“The agriculture sector will overcome all the challenges in due time. President Rodrigo R. Duterte has given priority attention and focus and increasing budget will be given [to] the sector,” he said in a text message.
Mr. Pernia said the sector “has been given and will continue to be given much attention.”
Ibon Foundation claims that the administration’s policies favoring big business have caused the role of agriculture in the economy to decline, and rural poverty to increase. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang
