MANILA, Philippines - Agricultural development merits top priority in the national government agenda. Each year, the country's leaders craft programs and projects to improve the lives of small Filipino farmers and fisherfolk and that of their families, by providing them support and incentives to boost their income, modern technology, livelihood during the lean months, irrigation and infrastructure facilities, and market and credit access. This year, the Department of Agriculture is out to revive the planting of traditional crops such as coconut, abaca, sugarcane, tropical fruits such as banana, pineapple, and mango, and vegetables, to regain their niche in the global export market.
Farmers planting these crops will be encouraged to avail of government services and incentives that will help them raise their yield and income. Farmers are encouraged to diversify, by using viable alternative agriculture methods or planting high-value commercial crops for higher yield and greater income. The growth of the high-value crop sector grew by 6 percent in 2010. The production volume of banana, a consistent dollar earner with a promising domestic and foreign market, is expected to grow by 1.26 percent this year to 2.05 million metric tons, from 2.02 million metric tons in 2009. The government is considering improved biotechnology as a process in agriculture, despite some questions generated by its use, to develop more durable crops, including drought-resistant and submergence-tolerant rice and corn varieties. The rehabilitation and upgrading of irrigation systems is being planned as well as the setting up of the more inexpensive and easier to maintain small water impounding systems. The Department of Agriculture, in partnership with local government units, congressional districts, rural development agencies, and the private sector, envisions the setting up of more trading centers and fish port complexes to help small farmers and fisherfolk market their produce. A number of provinces have set up fruit and vegetable trading centers, and these are reportedly doing well in helping upland farmers. For 2011, the government is optimistic that its program to combine traditional and modern agriculture methods in crop and fish production will help attain food sufficiency for the country.
