“With the exceptional support of the government: from providing seeds, tools, equipment and market access, self-sufficiency in agriculture can be achieved,” Legarda said.
Deputy House Speaker and Antique Representative Loren Legarda recently stressed the need for scientific research and innovation for the agricultural sector, especially for climate-resilient technologies.
Speaking at the recent AGRI2022 online forum last Monday (January 10), Legarda expressed her strong commitment to champion the farmers and fishers, as the country moves towards becoming self-sufficient and food secure.
During the forum, the solon highlighted the success of modern agricultural methods in her home province of Antique, which saw significant increases in palay production (27.4 percent) and yield (3.8 percent) in 2021.
The province of Antique boasts as one of the very few provinces to achieve a “rice self-sufficient” status, Legarda noted.
“With the exceptional support of the government: from providing seeds, tools, equipment and market access, self-sufficiency in agriculture can be achieved,” she said.
Environmental solutions
During the forum, Legarda cited the example of the town of Del Carmen in Siargao Island, which was spared from the storm surges brought by typhoon “Odette” last December.
This, the solon pointed out, is due to the fact that it is home to 4,871 hectares of mangroves.
“We need to work with and alongside natural processes. Nature-based solutions, such as planting mangrove greenbelts, have been very effective in preventing further loss and damage. Our farming and fishing communities could benefit from policies and plans that build with nature,” she explained.
Aside from coastal greenbelts, Legarda also drew attention to the community production of seeds, which are locally adapted to the soil and climate, or the use of integrated solutions such as integrated duck-rice farming.
When asked about water scarcity, Legarda noted that: “if we had healthier soils, we can prevent erosion or run-off. For example, if our farmers used the straw from their palay and applied it to their rice fields, the straw is converted to organic matter. They would be close to achieving one (1 percent) percent organic matter, which translates to about 50,000 gallons of water retained.”
“We need to rethink our food system. We urgently need to move from environmentally exploitative farming to regenerative practices. Presently, our policies are focused on large scale farming and production for export. Considering that we have about 10 million small farmers, forest settlers, or fisherfolk, it is in small holder agriculture where change is needed to increase the food supply. If the government provides adequate support and intervention, small producers will have additional income generating opportunities while encouraging local food supply,” she added.
The AGRI2022 Online Forum was orgainzed by the coalition Aksyon Alyansa.
The organization presented a Concept Note and document: “Transform Agriculture for Food Security, Job Creation, and Balanced Growth” citing twelve recommendations by three critical agriculture-related sectors: farmers and fisherfolk; agribusiness; and science and academe.
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