QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said Wednesday that 2024 is a pivotal year for the Department of Agriculture (DA), emphasizing the lessons learned from recent challenges as crucial for improving performance in the coming year.
During the DA’s final management committee meeting of the year, Tiu Laurel described 2024 as a “perfect storm” of obstacles that have tested the resilience of various DA offices. He noted that the department’s efforts to ensure food production amid climate and disease-related challenges received commendations from President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
One of the department’s significant achievements has been stabilizing food prices, which has played a role in reducing inflation.
In September, inflation fell to a four-year low of 1.9 percent, largely attributed to lower food costs, particularly rice. This stabilization, along with decreased prices for sugar, onions, and fish, has positively impacted President Marcos’ approval ratings, according to a recent Publicus Asia survey.
Following a record rice harvest and the creation of over 500,000 jobs in 2023, Tiu Laurel reported continued positive trends in the first half of this year, with the sector producing 8.5 million tons of palay and 3.7 million tons of corn. He proudly announced that for the first time in nine years, the National Food Authority has sufficient palay supplies.
Despite these gains, Tiu Laurel acknowledged ongoing challenges, including high fuel and input costs, drought, flooding linked to La Niña, and disruptions in the agricultural value chain. However, he expressed optimism, stating, “I expect that we should perform much, much better next year,” emphasizing the DA’s readiness to confront upcoming challenges without excuses.
Addressing food security, Tiu Laurel highlighted the DA’s proactive measures against illegal activities in the agricultural sector. He noted that even before the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act was passed, the DA had taken significant steps against smugglers, confiscating hundreds of millions of pesos in illegally imported goods. He pledged that efforts against smugglers, profiteers, cartels, and hoarders would intensify following the new legislation.
The Agriculture Secretary also outlined current initiatives aimed at combating animal diseases affecting the poultry and livestock sectors. “We’re taking steps to actively address animal diseases,” he said, with the goal of reducing imports and attracting investment in these areas.
Looking ahead, Tiu Laurel stressed the importance of continuously reviewing and adapting to the challenges posed by climate change and technological advancements. He asserted that the department’s success should be assessed based on how effectively the agricultural sector responds to the support and incentives provided by the government.
He reiterated the DA’s commitment to strengthening national food security and increasing the incomes of farmers and fisherfolk, urging all bureaus and agencies to evaluate their programs in line with these goals.
“It should be clear to everyone that the means to achieve these national objectives will be determined by each unit, bureau, and agency under this department,” he added. (AVS/PIA-NCR)
