Agriculture inefficiency in PH causes food insecurity says Villar
By CJ Juntereal
Published Oct 9, 2019 09:24 pm
By Nino Luces
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay - Agriculture in the Philippines is not efficient that's why some of the regions are experiencing food insecurity, Senator Cynthia Villar said on Tuesday.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
During the opening of the 18th Vegetable Congress held in the province of Albay, Villar cited that agriculture in the Philippines lacks of mechanization, technology and farmer's education on profitable business, causing inefficiency in agriculture in the country.
"Hindi lang talaga efficient yung agriculture natin kaya tayo nagkaka-problema. Kulang tayo sa mechanization, kulang tayo sa technology, kulang ang aral ng mga farmers natin about how to manage a profitable business," Villar said.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar also admitted that there are regions in the country that as of now experiencing food insecurity due to low rice sufficiency.
"Yung Bicol, maswerte kayo kasi nasa 108 percent yung rice sufficiency ninyo. Yung ibang regions, nakaka experience ng food insecurity," he said.
Villar on the other hand warned the LGUs to brace for the effect of climate change to agriculture in the country.
She said that every LGU should now provide a composting machines to reduce solid waste by converting it to organic fertilizer.
Villar also warned the fisherfolks from throwing plastic wastes on waters as it may causes food insecurity in the future.
"Kailangan din nga mga fishermen, alagaan yung kanilang karagatan, kasi the biggest problem now is plastic pollution. Alam nyo naman ang Pilipinas, it is a sachet economy. Lahat ng mga tinitinda nang mga sari-sari stores ay mga sachets. Pakagamit ng sachet, itatapon sa kalye, pupunta sa drainage system, pupunta sa ilog and then pupunta sa dagat. Pagdating sa dagat, kakainin ng isda, mamatay ang mga isda. Sabi po ng United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, if we do not prevent plastic wastes from going to the ocean, in 2050 which is 31 years from now, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish, and fish will eat all the plastics and they will all die. And we will have no more fish in the ocean. Our ocean will become a virtual dessert and so we will only rely on aquaculture. Sana po, wag mangyari ito. Kaya tayo ay dapat magtulungan, gumawa tayo ng mga solusyon sa ganito para mag-cope tayo sa mga pagbabago at challenges ng ating environment," Villar explained.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
During the opening of the 18th Vegetable Congress held in the province of Albay, Villar cited that agriculture in the Philippines lacks of mechanization, technology and farmer's education on profitable business, causing inefficiency in agriculture in the country.
"Hindi lang talaga efficient yung agriculture natin kaya tayo nagkaka-problema. Kulang tayo sa mechanization, kulang tayo sa technology, kulang ang aral ng mga farmers natin about how to manage a profitable business," Villar said.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar also admitted that there are regions in the country that as of now experiencing food insecurity due to low rice sufficiency.
"Yung Bicol, maswerte kayo kasi nasa 108 percent yung rice sufficiency ninyo. Yung ibang regions, nakaka experience ng food insecurity," he said.
Villar on the other hand warned the LGUs to brace for the effect of climate change to agriculture in the country.
She said that every LGU should now provide a composting machines to reduce solid waste by converting it to organic fertilizer.
Villar also warned the fisherfolks from throwing plastic wastes on waters as it may causes food insecurity in the future.
"Kailangan din nga mga fishermen, alagaan yung kanilang karagatan, kasi the biggest problem now is plastic pollution. Alam nyo naman ang Pilipinas, it is a sachet economy. Lahat ng mga tinitinda nang mga sari-sari stores ay mga sachets. Pakagamit ng sachet, itatapon sa kalye, pupunta sa drainage system, pupunta sa ilog and then pupunta sa dagat. Pagdating sa dagat, kakainin ng isda, mamatay ang mga isda. Sabi po ng United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, if we do not prevent plastic wastes from going to the ocean, in 2050 which is 31 years from now, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish, and fish will eat all the plastics and they will all die. And we will have no more fish in the ocean. Our ocean will become a virtual dessert and so we will only rely on aquaculture. Sana po, wag mangyari ito. Kaya tayo ay dapat magtulungan, gumawa tayo ng mga solusyon sa ganito para mag-cope tayo sa mga pagbabago at challenges ng ating environment," Villar explained.