THE Department of Agriculture (DA) wants to form consultative councils that will aid in crafting policy reforms and addressing challenges faced by bureaus and attached agencies.
This will create a more inclusive and effective approach to agricultural issues and problems including climate change and resource degradation, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said at the annual membership meeting of the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. on Thursday.
The DA, he noted, has a lot of commanding officers who end up hampering the implementation of programs.
“By establishing central bodies, it will be simpler and a lot easier for the DA to implement their goals,” Tiu Laurel said. “Only through strong partnerships and dedicated collaboration can we effectively tackle challenges and transform them into opportunities.”
The agriculture chief suggested bringing together representatives from the DA, private sector, farmers and other key stakeholders to form the councils, which will collaborate on the development of policies and strategies to respond directly to each sector’s major problems.
The initiative, Tiu Laurel said, is part of the DA’s goal to create more effective and targeted solutions that reflect the needs and realities of those on the ground, actively involving farmers, fisherfolk, industry leaders and local government units in the policymaking process.
“Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the Philippine economy, but the sector faces significant challenges, such as climate change, resource degradation and socioeconomic pressures. Food security continues to be an urgent concern, both globally and locally,” Tiu Laurel said.
Public and private partnerships will play an important role in making agriculture “bankable” and “cool” to the future generation of farmers. “[Their] expertise and resources are essential for achieving a sustainable, resilient agricultural sector, he added.
The proposed councils, Tiu Laurel said, are a crucial part of the department’s four-year plan, which aims to modernize agriculture, increase production, improve accessibility to safe and affordable food, and ensure the country’s agricultural practices are sustainable for future generations.
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