Gov’t to boost production of key commodities

MANILA, Philippines - The government prefers to build up production of key commodities through small farmers to help the country attain inclusive growth, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said.

In a recent interview, Alcala said that while the government is keeping its doors open to big ticket investors in the agriculture sector, it is focused on developing the production capacity of small farmers.

“We are open to big investors but we want to focus more on small farmers. We just have to integrate them so we have economies of scale, that it very important,” he said.

“It would be easier for us if we would just invite big investors so we cover everything  but what will happen to small farmers? It was the instruction of the President to aspire for inclusive growth, to tap as many farmers and fishermen as we can.”

Under its flagship Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP), the Department of Agriculture seeks to attain by yearend, self sufficiency in major food staples rice, corn and by 2016, attain increased production of other staple root crops like cassava to be used as substitute to corn for human consumption and as additive to animal feed.

The government is particularly aggressive in attaining production targets for palay and corn to lessen imports and eventually revive the country’s exportation prowess.

The Philippines is expected to produce between 19 million metric tons (MT) and 20 million MT of palay this year after producing more than 18 million MT  last year. By yearend, the Philippines is expected to be 98 percent sufficient in the grain.

Next year, farmers are expected to produce 21 million MT; importation is seen to be limited within the 350,000 minimum access volume (MAV).