Sufficient agri producton means ample food supply

CEBU, Philippines - The number of farmers is not directly proportional to the ample supply of food but is actually relative to the sufficiency of these farmers to produce food.

This was raised by Philip Shull, agricultural counselor of the United States Department of Agriculture - Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) when asked about the issue on the shortage of farmers at present that might lead to lack of food in the probable future.

Earlier, the agriculture sector in Cebu seemed to be threatened with the shortage of farmers due to aging issues and urban employment that could possibly hamper the growth of food production in the province.

Cebu City agriculturist Joselito Baclayon said that existing farmers are getting older over the years while young individuals who have the potential to be the new breed of farmers are actually more inclined to the advent of technology and migration to the city for work, thus the scarcity of farmers.

He added that the lack of farmers is an offset to the huge and increasing demand for food by consumers.

If this cannot be solved, he said that the province and the country might suffer from food shortage.

“We really do not need many farmers. Having more farmers does not mean having more food. It should be a matter of considering if all of these farmers are that sufficient enough when it comes to food production,” Shull told The Freeman.

Although he admitted that the possible shortage of farmers remains an impediment to the industry due to aging and urbanization, it is a challenge for stakeholders to come up with a wise agricultural policy to solve such.

He said that it was in 2006 when more people started to move and live in the city than in the countryside. He added that there is also a decrease in the awareness level of food producers and consumers when it comes to agriculture.

He then suggested local farmers to try modern agriculture which he described as the use of up-to-date and cost-efficient agricultural techniques.

These include the right purchase of seeds and livestock and appropriate usage of farming inputs such as good fertilizer, right equipment, latest technology, recommended disease prevention and cure, and the right feeds for the animals.

Shull said that most small-scale farmers have the tendency to charge for their produce in order to make a living and survive through farming as a livelihood.

He, however, said that they should try to be more efficient in their production in order to sell their harvest at a lower cost and attract more buyers.

He further noted that modern agriculture, if pushed, could lead to the production of more yields and enable farmers to produce more food.

Shull also clarified that it is not difficult for food producers, especially small-scale farmers, to venture into modern agriculture and adopt the proper farming techniques since it is more cost-efficient and productive.

He cited that local farmers in the Philippines need not to be threatened with the competition with the importers due to the open market the country has.

“Instead, be challenged. It will make you better as you are encouraged to come up with new ideas, thus producing a better production of food,” Shull advised.

Shull is currently in Cebu for the 2013 U.S. Fine Foods Show that is held  from September 25 to 26 at the Northwing Atrium of SM City Cebu. /JOB (FREEMAN)