Agri sector – key to inclusive growth

Tilapia, organic sugar, mountain rice  these are just a few of the niche agricultural products that the Philippines is reaping recognition from in a growing number of countries, and enjoying an increased influential international customer base.

It seems that the country’s agricultural sector, thanks to a new breed of local entrepreneurs, is starting to show signs of growth, so much so that exports of a number of basic agricultural commodities have shown impressive growth during the first half of 2013.

In a recent report by the Department of Agriculture, income from the country’s top 10 agricultural exports, i.e., coconut oil, bananas, tuna, pineapples and pineapple products, manufactured tobacco, centrifugal sugar, seaweeds and carrageenan, copra oil/cake, desiccated coconut, and manufactured fertilizer, grew by 31 percent.

Inclusive growth link

While the agriculture sector still contributes negligibly to the gross domestic productivity of the country, there is potential for a higher contribution in future, one that has a higher potential of bringing inclusive growth to the huge population segment that remains shackled by poverty.

With a major portion of the 92 million Filipinos still depending on agriculture to earn their living, giving fishermen and farmers more importance in terms of economic support will immediately help them earn better incomes to feed, shelter, and clothe their families.

Ultimately, this will translate to improved opportunities for wealth creation through better education opportunities for the children and other family members as well as increased revenue streams from new farm- or agriculture-based cottage industries.

A revitalized agriculture sector therefore becomes a quicker solution to uplifting the alarmingly low productivity and earning output of majority of Filipinos who live in rural areas. This is in fact a much better and quicker solution than hankering about jumpstarting again our moribund manufacturing sector.

Choke points

That said, the government should focus on unblocking the “choke points” that inhibit the growth of agriculture, both livestock and farming. First on the list would be opening better distribution lines from the farm to the market.

Priority infrastructure spending by government should be in areas where the private sector is not interested in. This would include feeder roads and bridges from the farm to highways, as well as well-maintained irrigation networks for crop lands.

All the rest – railways, ports, airports, ice plants, refrigerated storages, electricity – can be farmed out to the private sector on a build-operate-transfer basis, just to start the process and keep the ball rolling until the country’s economy gets to firmer footing.

Transport costs have always been one of the biggest components why our farmers and fishermen have never ventured to break the middleman network. But with better subsidies aimed at empowering our base agriculture stakeholders to bring their produce to bigger consumer markets, their income levels can be increased.

Another area that deserves closer attention would be the high feedstock prices, especially for backyard livestock raisers. Presently, many small hog and chicken growers in rural areas are finding it increasingly difficult to earn enough because of high prices of grains.

Because a large part of the livestock industry is dependent on backyard farms, the threat of supply shortages can cause sharp fluctuations on prices especially during peak demand seasons.

Well-fed people vital to economic growth

Solving these “choke points” will bring the Philippines on a stronger competitive standing going into the final stretches of global trade liberalization, as well as uplift the economic power of more Filipinos, especially those who provide the basic food necessities of the whole country.

This formula has worked well for many Asian economies including China, Malaysia, Korea and Thailand: Take care of the food requirements of the people, and the country will find its ways to steady, reliable and sustainable growth.

There is no other way.

Champions League (PCCL) 2013 National Collegiate Championship

The regional games that will determine the respective representatives to the elite group of 16 competing for the National Collegiate Championship will start on Nov. 9, 2013 at the Almendras Gym, Davao City.

Qualified champions of “mother leagues” from Davao, General Santos, Zamboanga City, Sibugay, Dipolog and Sindangan will battle for one Sweet 16 seat allocated to Southern Mindanao.

The other seat reserved for Mindanao will be up for grabs when qualified champion teams from Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Iligan and Butuan knock each other out for the right to represent Northern Mindanao.

The Northern-Central Luzon regional games will be played in Vigan City starting Nov. 11-14. Competing for one slot in the Round 16 are the champion teams of SCUAA-Vigan (University of Northern Phils. Sharks), BBEAL (University of Baguio Cardinals), UCAAP (Lyceum Northwestern University Dukes), UCLAAI (Lyceum of Subic Bay Sharks), and SBOAA (La Finns Scholastica Lionhearts).

The other regional qualifying games are scheduled on Nov. 14-16 for Southern Luzon-Bicol, Nov. 15-18 for Visayas Islands, and Nov. 19-21 for Metro Manila.

Forty five collegiate teams are involved at this stage of the journey of the National Collegiate Championship. Out of these 45 teams, only 16 will qualify to the Sweet 16 step-ladder round.

Ten teams are already assured of slots in the elite group of 16 namely UAAP champion DLSU Green Archers, UST Growling Tigers, FEU Tamaraws, NU Bulldogs, San Beda College Red Lions, Letran Knights, Perpetual Help University Altas, University of Visayas, CESAFI champion SWU Cobras, and University of San Carlos Warriors. One seat awaits the NCAA 4th placer, still being contested as of to date.

At the end of the journey to the top, the last standing team will have their name engraved in the M. V. Pangilinan Perpetual Bronze Sculpture “Abutin ang Tagumpay” together with the national champions for the past 10 years. These are UST Growling Tigers (2012); San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags (2011); Ateneo Blue Eagles (2010, 2009 and 2007); DLSU Green Archers (2008); UE Warriors (2006 and 2003); and FEU Tamaraws (2004 and 2005).

Visit www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net or like www.facebook.com/PCCLeague for more updates on the ongoing tournaments nationwide.

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