GROW GROW GROW:
For an Improved and Sustainable National Agricultural policy
By Kat Ulrike
By Kat Ulrike
Without food there can be no life. Without adequate and wholesome food there can be no health. Good Government must ensure sufficient wholesome food for the health of the people. This is an overcrowded island, with only two-thirds of an acre of farmland per person. World population is expanding far more rapidly than the means of feeding it. It is simple common sense to make the fullest possible use of all our agricultural resources.
- Oswald Mosley
This statement has resonated this person's views especially in regards to the state of Agriculture in the Philippines. Driven by the recent fiascoes affecting the country's important economic foundation, it seems that the country has to get serious in its promise, for otherwise this agricultural escapade is nothing but a cheap gimmick.
Sorry for the frankness given the recent situations, be it rice shortage, rice infestation, vegetables left rotting due to overproduction, what more of policies which turned out to be frustrated versions of the past, agriculture in the Philippines, being a cheap gimmick for politicos, compradores, and landlords alike, would parrot messages of self-sufficiency, growth, development alongside those of ensuring one's health, nutrition, even affordability as most Filipinos desired as such. With this, somehow made the neoliberal-inclined Villegas sound right that the mantra of "agriculture agriculture agriculture" should resonate; if not that stating that agricultural development as to be prioritised being the foundation of a sustainable, inclusive growth.
However, to most orderists who sustained its political survival through populist escapades, this venture into agricultural growth, being a cheap gimmick, as actually meant to snare farmers from the assertions of genuine rural development, if not an attempt for landlords to maintain their power at the expense of the peasantry-such as in the case of Hacienda Luisita in the past, or in Lapanday at present.
Besides that, this cheap gimmick hath also made agricultural growth rather deteriorating, that the quality of soil depleting due to excessive use of chemical-based substances, and promoted by charlatans assuming to be supportive of agricultural development just to fill their pockets.
Sorry for the frankness given the recent situations, be it rice shortage, rice infestation, vegetables left rotting due to overproduction, what more of policies which turned out to be frustrated versions of the past, agriculture in the Philippines, being a cheap gimmick for politicos, compradores, and landlords alike, would parrot messages of self-sufficiency, growth, development alongside those of ensuring one's health, nutrition, even affordability as most Filipinos desired as such. With this, somehow made the neoliberal-inclined Villegas sound right that the mantra of "agriculture agriculture agriculture" should resonate; if not that stating that agricultural development as to be prioritised being the foundation of a sustainable, inclusive growth.
However, to most orderists who sustained its political survival through populist escapades, this venture into agricultural growth, being a cheap gimmick, as actually meant to snare farmers from the assertions of genuine rural development, if not an attempt for landlords to maintain their power at the expense of the peasantry-such as in the case of Hacienda Luisita in the past, or in Lapanday at present.
Besides that, this cheap gimmick hath also made agricultural growth rather deteriorating, that the quality of soil depleting due to excessive use of chemical-based substances, and promoted by charlatans assuming to be supportive of agricultural development just to fill their pockets.
True isn't it? Yet this plain fact that agricultural growth as been treated as a cheap gimmick has been criminally ignored by most politicians and technocrats. Despite the facts to the contrary, these people, given their landlord/compradore backgrounds, carries an orientation, which still think and behave as if the country could assure its progress by depending on the service sector while relying on the export of raw/semirefined manufactures (including food) and services whilst importing food and finished products. Economists (including Villegas himself) are still telling people that the country must "Import or Die", "Depending on outside investment", and "opening the country to the world" as envisioned by borderless beings like Friedman or Mises.
But with competition increasing in world markets and with the industries of other countries growing more efficient, the country's very own existence is itself threatened as the country ought to depend on its existing policies in agriculture what more of the economy in general. For sure everyone would say that the country cannot rely more on importing food further, or rather say depend on the policies that according to theirs may "suffice the issues related to the food the country needs".
Imagine, the Duterte administration was at first bragging to its subjects that self-sufficiency in foodstuffs is possible; particularly on rice as Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol once exhorted last 2016 to top officials of his department in ensure vigorous implementation of programs to achieve rice self-sufficiency in the Philippines.
“We should hit rice self-sufficient within the next two years… It’s a must not a choice,” as what he said; he even claiming that the administration is results-oriented. and even promised that he provide all DA regional offices with the necessary inputs and assistance, including irrigation facilities and seed requirements, for them to achieve self-sufficiency in their respective regions. Furthermore, that secretary even told each and everyone within that department that "Any director that can’t do that will be asked to resign," thinking that there are directors or officials who are deemed incompetent and thus hinders his agenda being presented.
However, years after, that "self-sufficiency" statement turned out to be a foolish one as the secretary himself is not anymore set on making the country rice self-sufficient following the passage of the Rice Import Liberalization Act, which allows the unimpeded entry of imported rice. Economic managers are expecting the act will help ease the country’s inflation rate, bring down the cost of rice and generate revenues from import duties; while Piñol, the man who once bragged that the country aimed for a 100-percent rice self-sufficiency rate end describing it as “foolish,” since a supply glut in the market would further bring down farm-gate prices to the detriment of the local farming industry.
Imagine, the Duterte administration was at first bragging to its subjects that self-sufficiency in foodstuffs is possible; particularly on rice as Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol once exhorted last 2016 to top officials of his department in ensure vigorous implementation of programs to achieve rice self-sufficiency in the Philippines.
“We should hit rice self-sufficient within the next two years… It’s a must not a choice,” as what he said; he even claiming that the administration is results-oriented. and even promised that he provide all DA regional offices with the necessary inputs and assistance, including irrigation facilities and seed requirements, for them to achieve self-sufficiency in their respective regions. Furthermore, that secretary even told each and everyone within that department that "Any director that can’t do that will be asked to resign," thinking that there are directors or officials who are deemed incompetent and thus hinders his agenda being presented.
However, years after, that "self-sufficiency" statement turned out to be a foolish one as the secretary himself is not anymore set on making the country rice self-sufficient following the passage of the Rice Import Liberalization Act, which allows the unimpeded entry of imported rice. Economic managers are expecting the act will help ease the country’s inflation rate, bring down the cost of rice and generate revenues from import duties; while Piñol, the man who once bragged that the country aimed for a 100-percent rice self-sufficiency rate end describing it as “foolish,” since a supply glut in the market would further bring down farm-gate prices to the detriment of the local farming industry.
Strange isn't it? That if the government truly adheres to self-sufficiency in foodstuffs then why on earth to make way for unhampered imports? What would be next? Making arable land be forced to sell cheap to so-called developers whose goal is to convert into non-agricultural assets like commercial complexes and making people really depend on imports? The government whom once afforded to brag that they're aiming for self-sufficiency, For sure as time goes by the country dare no longer risk the food of its people depending on world trade, and as peasants demand development, and the people demand a country's renaissance, then the full expansion of the country's agriculture must now come first in its economy.
Remember, as according to IBON foundation, that no more than 5% of the national budget has been given to agriculture over the last two decades. The Duterte administration does not correct this and, for instance, the Php49.8 billion 2019 Department of Agriculture (DA) budget it submitted to Congress in July is just 1.3% of the national budget and even Php862 million less that its cash-based equivalent of Php50.7 billion this year. The hyped Php10 billion (US$190 million at current exchange rates) rice development fund of the Rice Tariffication Bill is too little and too late (if not a cheap gimmick), and this compares unfavorably to rice industry support given by other rice producers including some countries the Philippines imports rice from — Vietnam (US$400 million), United States (US$619 million annually), Thailand (US$2.2-4.4 billion), India (US$12 billion), Japan (US$16 billion), and China (US$12-37 billion).
Remember, as according to IBON foundation, that no more than 5% of the national budget has been given to agriculture over the last two decades. The Duterte administration does not correct this and, for instance, the Php49.8 billion 2019 Department of Agriculture (DA) budget it submitted to Congress in July is just 1.3% of the national budget and even Php862 million less that its cash-based equivalent of Php50.7 billion this year. The hyped Php10 billion (US$190 million at current exchange rates) rice development fund of the Rice Tariffication Bill is too little and too late (if not a cheap gimmick), and this compares unfavorably to rice industry support given by other rice producers including some countries the Philippines imports rice from — Vietnam (US$400 million), United States (US$619 million annually), Thailand (US$2.2-4.4 billion), India (US$12 billion), Japan (US$16 billion), and China (US$12-37 billion).
Since Piñol or even Duterte himself may be right that self sufficiency on foodstuffs is impossible and therefore depend on imports abroad, but to think that with these same people hath once afforded to take pride that agriculture as been undergone improvements and promised farmers better income, and at the same time seeing existing policies that benefited landlords and compradores alike, what kind of agricultural policy is the Philippines experienced?
The countryside remain as it was as those who trying to control their fiefdoms been trying 'their best' to circumvent provisions on agrarian reform, if not lawmakers trying to dilute provisions for their self-interests as Landlords and Comrpadores, and this did happen at plantations whose farmers and farmworkers, now in disgust, been resorted. Pardon for some recalls, but in a time when people would therefore concentrate on home food production, using imports only as supplements and in no ease allowing any undercutting by imported food. The state, knowing that they desired to revive agriculture must establish the confidence needed to enable the farmer to plan his crops for years ahead by guaranteeing the home market to the home producer, by assuring steady prices according to quality, by providing attractive wages and living conditions to farm workers and their communities, and by harnessing the sciences to bring back sustainability to the soil and to really support the modernisation efforts in reviving agriculture. Only when this becomes the settled policy of the country can agriculture be expected to expand to full productivity.
- Land utilisation and conservation
When it comes to Land utilization, the priority lies in insuring food, water, and even forestry. If people truly wanted to assert self-sufficiency in food production and in extension to support the needs for industrialisation, then why not revert idle arable lands to agricultural purposes? Speeden efforts in agrarian reform and rural development? Conserving non-agricultural assets particularly those of mineral-rich mountains and promote responsible usage?
Such developments must therefore be confined as far as possible to areas of low natural fertility. Exploitative mining practises and land conversion practises must stop immediately. It is criminal to destroy farmland in order to export each and every mineral or convert into something less productive especially in a country whose industrial policy is less or no "industrial" at all, let alone commercial as compradores benefited from exporting.
- Insuring Soil fertility and health for better crops, livestock, and people
In making better crops, the need to address soil fertility and health is much needed, especially in agricultural areas whose soil quality been depleted due to overfarming and the usage of artificial inputs. As today's science increasingly promotes the need for organic farming or least, a stop-gap solution between conventional and organic means, the drivel lies in reviving the soil in order to bring not just better crops but also to ensure those who consume- for soil fertility and health does really affect not just crops, but also livestock and the people themselves.
And to think that with the farmers seriously tended it, these are are because land is considered a priceless national asset and therefore be conserved, developed if the country truly adheres to self-sufficiency and to meet the demands of the people.
With this kind of care one would say that the soil is worthy to be called an insurance against hunger and privation, and farmers ought to seriously take care of it: that land mustn't be exploited for quick profits (as done by middlemen in pushing farmers to 'farm' in order to pay their debts than to uplift as farmers) but rather well fanned for the future as well as the present.
- Maximising science and technology for Agricultural growth,
introducing Agricultural Machinery stations to mechanise agriculture
and promoting industry in the countryside
In relation to no.2, Scientific research in agricultural production should be given importance if the government seriously adheres to its development if not the need to cut down imports. This is more true now in the age of biotech where plants and animals can be transformed into factories of complex chemical, pharmaceutical, and environmental products. (E.g., Rice can be infused with Vitamin A through biotech. Plants can be turned into biofactories producing peptides for medicine.) In this, the Philippines has a competitive advantage, having one of the most diversified flora and fauna in the world, and thus by harnessing it will help in promote further agricultural growth and stability.
But reality goes like despite having existing entities whose desire is to "support agriculture" be it by rice/plant research to those of farm mechanisation, these and the likes are rather limited be it because of lack of government support for research, development, and extension of its services particularly those of promotion and training.
Another is the introduction of Agricultural Machinery Station as a major supporter in Agricultural modernisation effort. As the name implies, the station is a rural agency alongside the granary and the irrigation that supplied farmers with agricultural machinery. Despite its primary purpose, the station serves as a venue for organising farmers into tractor and machinery brigades as the station is more than just having tractors and various forms of modern equipment or even a facility for their pre and post harvest needs, but also a venue in educating the peasant and to help in organising especially in pursuit of rural development and industrialising the countryside. From there the peasant hath to be given the knowledge, expertise that in turn will share to its fellow in reclaiming the soil and prosper for the future generations in whom to benefit.
Sounds idealistic it may be but the peasant did really demand not just having its right to till the land. It is the same peasant that like the worker, in recognising that in order to progress, the country must industrialise, but the question is: to whom it really benefits that industrialisation? What is the proper way for a country to become an industrialised nation? The trouble with many leaders is that they did promote but their actual actions seemed contrary to their initial statements, one would even insist that foreign direct investments alone will keep the country afloat and moneyed foreigners be given the right to create enterprises and even own properties; if a concerned may ask, are they really promoting development that is for the masses the way they extort people to be self reliant? Of what is studying the sciences if that is not to promote national and social interest?
- Requisition of surpluses by the state/introducing "tax in kind"
Surpluses of foodstuffs are meant to be requisitioned by the state with proper compensation to the farmers. Recent reports about oversupply of foodstuffs resulted to Farmers letting produce left to rot or thrown into waterways hath been a problem as it aggravates the issue on hunger and the need for accessibility of foodstuffs and other needs especially in the cities.
The state, assuming itself as ensurer of the people, is ought to resolve a possible problem by directly acquiring agricultural surpluses; if not introducing a necessary incentive to increase agricultural production by means of introducing procurement of limited portion of their produce. From this, farmers may know in advance how much produce they would have to surrender to the state, with the latter offering incentives particularly agricultural aid to support their needs; while their produce as to be distributed in the cities with affordable prices/or, for export.
- Prices, Wages, and decent working/living conditions
Prices must be fixed through an agreement between Government and Producers. Consumer subsidies must be abolished by: reducing distribution costs, and by raising wages (particularly the minimum wage), pensions and allowances throughout every industry and so ensuring that every household has sufficient income for a good adequate diet and other basic needs. Wages in agriculture will be comparable with those in other industries. But it is even more important that the farmers as well as their families should have decent housing and living conditions, the need for education as part of self-improvement, adequate transport facilities for those in remote areas and the opportunity to gain independence if so desired.