Revitalizing Agriculture: A Call to Action for Filipino Farmers

Senator Imee Marcos has issued a stark warning about the urgent need to revitalize the agricultural sector in the Philippines to prevent a looming crisis: “If we don’t make farming profitable again, we risk losing our farmers and may face a future reliant on imported food by 203.”

Recognizing the alarming decline in agricultural workers, she has introduced Senate Bill No. 1801, which seeks to enhance farmers’ earnings through farmland consolidation, the promotion of contract farming, and the establishment of agribusiness initiatives.

To further support farmers, Senator Marcos has proposed legislation that guarantees an income for those registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture, ensuring they receive at least the minimum wage for their regions.

“If the government can provide income support for other groups, why not extend the same to our farmers?” she emphasized. In an effort to connect farmers directly with consumers, the senator has revived the Kadiwa program, facilitating sales that lower market prices and supplying essential resources like trucks and refrigeration to local government units and cooperatives.

Additionally, she pointed to the success of the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC), which has engaged 3,625 young Filipinos in innovative farming techniques and market opportunities since its inception in 2021.

“The YFC has sparked a renewed interest in agriculture,” she noted. Despite the overall unemployment rate dropping to 4% as of August 2024, the Philippine Statistics Authority reports a troubling loss of 1.67 million jobs in agriculture and fisheries since 2023, compounded by the fact that 51 million Filipinos are currently facing food insecurity, according to a UN report.

“I refuse to give up on our agricultural sector. We must rally behind our farmers—they are the backbone of our food security and our future,” Marcos declared, calling for comprehensive government support to transform the industry.