Food Security For the MIMAROPA Region, the best way to guarantee an adequate and continuous supply of food is to bank on the development and productivity of agriculture. Agriculture is still a significant contributor to the regional economy. Based on the 2009 agricultural data, the region has posted a 4.78 percent growth rate in agriculture, with crop and livestock sectors gaining a huge increase in volume of production. The region has large tracts of both tapped and untapped production lands, fertile soils and abundant forest and marine and aquatic resources for its disposal to feed more than 2.5 million population and also to share the burden of meeting the nation’s food requirements. Agriculture is a major economic driver in the region. A competitive and productive agricultural sector/industry needs a healthy environment. The region should foster a viable atmosphere conducive to agricultural modernization, specialization, diversification and value added processing. Raising agricultural productivity means scaling-up investment for the sector for irrigation facilities and structures, farm-to-market roads, lands and facilities, modern environment-friendly farm technology and port harvest and processing centers. Likewise, rational planning for the agricultural use of the region’s prime agricultural lands and other land classification (grasslands/pasture lands) and setting policies for prevention of further fragmentation of agricultural land by conversion to nonfarm use is vital for the strong and long-term future of the agricultural sector in the region.
Objectives 1. Protect agricultural lands for future food production and agricultural diversification opportunities. 2. Promote strong agricultural sector by planning and providing a stable environment for farmers/producers, protecting agricultural operations from conversion to other land uses and maintaining the ability of farmers/producers to efficiently manage, expand and diversify agricultural processes and production. 3. Enforce environmentally sound agricultural production and development to ensure a sustainable agricultural industry over the long-term period. 4. Foster a climate for economic growth and employment and income opportunities in rural communities by supporting diversification, marketing and promotion, technology modernization and adaptation and farmers/producers extension services and specialized skills training and education.
Strategies 1. Support innovation and self-reliance in coastal communities by assisting them develop new fish harvesting and technology. 2. Support fishermen, processors and aquaculturists identify and adopt new --- leading edge production/manufacturing processes and techniques. 3. Strengthen fishery laws and regulations enforcement to completely stop the problem of illegal fishing, buying and selling. 4. Identify and provide suitable aquaculture/aquatic production areas for increased aquaculture produce and onsite technical and farm extension services and support. 5. Promote research and development and intensify targeted marketing and promotion of new, value-added seafood products.
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Sectoral Objectives and Targets