Outgoing Agri chief Dar calls for ‘Build, Build, Build’ in agricultural sector

Outgoing Agriculture Secretary William Dar on Wednesday said he is gearing to turn over the leadership of the Department of Agriculture to the incoming administration, as he called for a ‘Build, Build, Build’ program to cover the industry.

At a virtual briefing, Dar cited the need for an infrastructure program in the agriculture sector to boost productivity amid the food security issues currently being faced by the country.

He noted that the country currently has 1.1 million hectares of areas without access to irrigation, which could be addressed by putting up dams.

“Dapat may ‘Build, Build, Build’ sa agriculture. The next six years tapusin na itong 1.1 million hectares,” he said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

[There should be a ‘Build, Build, Build’ in agriculture. The next six years, let us complete the 1.1 million hectares.]

Dar also proposed to retrofit already existing irrigation dams and complement them with secondary and tertiary dams to collect the overflow which can be used for other purposes.

He also pushed for infrastructure projects involving flood control for high value crops, aquaculture, and fishery or farm tourism moving forward.

“I have given this direction already to NIA (National Irrigation Administration),” he said at the same forum.

Dar is set to step out of office on June 30, to give way for President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. who will take office as President and temporary Agriculture Secretary.

“We will give all what’s needed for him to appreciate the depth and breadth of the challenges affecting the sector today,” Dar said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Dar also noted that the incoming administration will be faced with challenges such as the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global food supplies, along with the African swine fever, and limited budget support.

The Department of Agriculture requested a P270-billion budget for the coming year. It was just given P85.5 billion this year, versus the P250 billion it proposed.

“Ang agriculture talaga napabayaan that’s why we have this stunted growth,” he said.

[Agriculture has been really neglected that’s why we have this stunted growth.] — RSJ, GMA News