THREE-YEAR AGRI DEV’T PLAN TARGETS TO BOOST FOOD PRODUCTION

Author: (Krystelle Ymari A. Vergara, DA-AFID) | 24 February 2023

https://www.da.gov.ph/thee-year-agri-devt-plan-targets-to-boost-food-production/

With the President’s goal of achieving rice self-sufficiency by 2025, the DA – National Rice Program was instructed to determine specific areas for inbred and hybrid rice production and to formulate strategies for developing newly irrigated areas.

Following the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) led by Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban convened to prepare for the formulation and updating of the agency’s three-year Agriculture Development Program, February 23.

Spanning from 2023 to 2025, the Program aims to promote agricultural productivity in the Philippines, with emphasis on rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock, poultry, and fisheries as priority commodities under the current administration.

Assistant Secretary for Operations

Arnel V. De Mesa explained that aside from production, it will also cover other activities such as postharvest and processing, logistics improvement, market linkages and arrangements, and research and development.

Also informed of its task to evaluate and enhance the country’s livestock and poultry production, DA – National Livestock Program (NLP) Director Ruth S. Miclat-Sonaco assured continuous implementation of repopulation and biosecurity initiatives against the African Swine Fever (ASF), Avian Influenza (AI), and other transboundary animal pests and diseases. The DA – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) was also called to enhance fisheries production in the Philippines by determining areas for aquaculture and capture fisheries. With other concerned DA units for the drafting of a harmonious Agriculture Development Plan.