Govt to increase support for agriculture, Aquino says

REINA MERCEDES, Isabela — The government will increase its technical and financial assistance to the agricultural sector as part of its efforts to ensure food security, President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III said Friday. Instead of spending P1.3 billion on seed subsidies that have limited impact, the government will undertake ventures that have long-term effects such as increasing the production loan portfolio for agricultural projects, Aquino said. This will be effected by government financial institutions like the Land Bank of the Philippines and rural banks, he said. "Makikibahagi po dito ang mga rural bank at mga kooperatiba na kadalasang nilalapitan ng mga magsasaka tuwing may pangangailangang pinansyal (Rural banks and cooperatives which farmers usually turn to for financial assistance will be part of this)," Aquino said in a 12-minute speech at the closing ceremonies of the Philippine National Corn Congress here. Irrigation systems will be rehabilitated and more post-havest facilities will be built, Aquino said. For the corn industry, the government's goal is to have a corn dryer for every 1,000 hectares of corn fields, particularly in Mindanao. Solar dryers and multi-purpose drying pavements will be put in place nationwide, he said. "Batid po kasi nating kapag may mga imprastraktura at makinang magpapatuyo sa mais ng ating mga magsasaka, tataas ang kalidad ng kanilang aanihin, at hindi na sila maaaring baratin ng mga buyers sa produktong kanilang ibebenta (We know that when there are infrastructure and machines that will dry corn for our farmers, the quality of their harvest will increase and they will not be paid cheap fees by buyers for their products)," Aquino said. Aquino said the government will work for the establishment of trading centers and seed storage facilities to ensure the quality of seeds. Research for new agricultural technologies will also be pushed through close coordination between the Department of Agriculture and state colleges and universities, he said. "Ang ating pagtutulungan po ang magiging puhunan natin upang matiyak ang pangmatagalang food security, at mas matatag na ekonomiya ng bansa (Working together will be our way to ensure food security and a stronger economy)," Aquino said. — Jam Sisante/RSJ, GMANews.TV