Marcos wants to fix ‘value chain’ to solve short-, long-term agri problems

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. emphasized Monday the need to fix the value chain in order to address short-term and long-term problems in the agriculture sector.

In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos, who sits as Agriculture chief, admitted that the country is hit by a two-pronged problem when it comes to food supply.

He said problems in food supply would result in higher prices of commodities and its insufficiency.

"Ang mga suliraning agarang mararamdaman ng ating mga kababayan ay ang posibilidad ng tuloy-tuloy na pagsipa ng presyo ng pagkain at kakulangan sa suplay ng ating pagkain," Marcos said.

"Para sa pang-matagalang solusyon, itataas natin ang produksyon ng mga kalakal at produktong pang-agrikultura.  At para magawa ito, pagtitibayin natin ang tinatawag na value chain na nagsisimula sa mga magsasaka hanggang sa namimili," he added.

Marcos has also pushed for a farm-to-market road masterplan.

The President has emphasized that the FMR masterplan could serve as a guide for the government in promoting food security and empowering rural communities.

Marcos has also expressed his intention to increase food production to also lower the prices of basic food commodities in the market. 

He said improving the country's food production would guarantee the consumers' "purchasing power," noting that the DA will provide financial and technical aid to food production sectors.

"Upang masuportahan ang mga mamimili para mapanatili ang kanilang purchasing power or kapangyarihan sa pagbili, isinapinal ng Department of Agriculture ang planong taasan ang produksyon sa susunod na panahon ng pagtatanim o planting season, sa pamamagitan ng tulong pinansiyal at teknikal," he said.

Marcos stressed that his administration will provide loans and subsidies to qualified beneficiaries. He also said giving financial assistance to farmers and fisherfolks will be institutionalized under his administration.

"Magbibigay tayo ng pautang, habang mas ilalapit natin sa sektor ng agrikultura ang hindi gaanong mahal na farm inputs na bibilhin na ng bulto ng gobyerno," Marcos said.

"Kabilang dito ang abono, pestisidyo, mga punla, feeds, fuel subsidy at ayuda para sa mga karapat-dapat na benipisyaryo," he added. — BM, GMA News