Event Details
he Philippine agriculture is one of the industries which posted the highest growth amid the pandemic, with 1.6% growth in the second quarter, 1.2% in the 3rd quarter, and about 1% for the entire 2020.
This 2021, the Department of Agriculture expects the industry to grow at 2.5%. The continued growth, indeed, contributes greatly to the Philippine economy in comparison to other movers and shakers of the economy. As Secretary Dar mentioned, he sees the DA to remain a robust contributor for the Philippine growth and economy.
Despite the growth, there are still challenges that the Department is currently facing. For one, its share from the national budget. In 2020, DA had a 1.7% share from the country's general appropriations despite its significant contribution to the economy amounting to P79.9. This 2021, the DA proposed to increase its allocation from the national budge to P284.4 billion. The government, however, approved its budget of P71.1 billion.
With the limited budget at hand, the Department still sees the country's economic recovery through the help of the sector. The Department will continue to increase farm and fishery productivity, increase the salary of the farmers and fisher folks, and eventually reduce the poverty in the Philippines.
The World Bank will also be part of the discussion and will present their study entitled Transforming Philippine Agriculture during Covid-19 and Beyond. he World Bank also has a riveting assessment of the challenges of the Philippine agriculture. Ultimately, suggesting a paradigm shift from an 'old' agriculture to a modernized one.
