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Archives
Feb. 1-28, 2004
S&T in agriculture
is strategy for hunger-free Philippines-FAO
by Ma. Lizbeth J.
Baroņa
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| Drs. Donato B. Antiporta
and Saifullah Syed (in front) of FAO during the
roundtable discussion at the NAFC Hall, Dept. of
Agriulture, Q.C. |
One of the key action plan components
in achieving the vision of a hunger-free Philippines
is through science and technology (S&T) in agriculture.
This was stated during the roundtable discussion on
“Strategy Towards a Hunger-Free Philippines”
held on February 11, 2004, 9 am at the Apacible Hall,
Department of Agriculture, Diliman Quezon City. Guest
speakers were Dr. Saifullah Syed, Policy Assistance
Branch Chief of the Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO) – Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
(RAP), and Dr. Donato B. Antiporta, Senior Policy Adviser
of FAO-RAP.
With the application of modern science
and delivery of support services for rapid growth in
agriculture, the speakers said, the level of agricultural
research and development (R&D) could be raised and
international standards could be applied. This could
also move the focus from exclusively traditional crop,
commodity-specific approach into more integrated strategy;
release or commercialize mature technologies; and enhance
private sector role.
Other key action plan components presented
in the discussion were: a) providing water control in
small holder farms through improved irrigation and water
policy; b) providing rural credit for agricultural households
and agro-enterprises by strengthening rural financial
institutions’ capacity to intermediate in the
rural sector by providing capacity-building assistance
and by consolidating credit and guarantee funds for
agriculture and fisheries; and c) by providing adequate
rural infrastructure like farm-to-market roads.
The FAO speakers said that their vision
and aspiration is for every Filipino to have adequate
access to food at all times and eradicate absolute poverty.
To achieve this vision, the speakers recommended that
public resources must yield the greatest sustained impact
on hunger-free goal by applying lessons of the past
with respect to rural growth (and stagnation) of the
Philippines and in other countries; understanding the
fundamental versus peripheral constraints; striving
for few priorities; and appropriating roles of government,
private sector, and civil society.
Another recommendation is policy improvement
on sustainable income and employment to eliminate hunger.
According to Syed and Antiporta, this could be achieved
by diversifying agricultural production wherein the
range of attractive options for farmers and fishers
are enhanced. This could also be done through diversifying
the rural economy by supplying public goods and support
services and providing a competitive input-output market.
The last recommendation was directing
support and protection to the poor by addressing the
needs of highly vulnerable groups, specifically targeting
the poorest regions and population groups and minimizing
price fluctuations for food. 
February 1-28 2004 Articles:
:: S&T
in agriculture is strategy for hunger-free Philippines-FAO
::
Nat'l
convergence team consults with 3 major islands
::
Sweet
Elena is identified as best mango variety
::
Farmer's
Field Day showcases hybrid corn technologies
::
DEBESMSCAT
hosts Bicol's first white research corn review
::
She
holds her own bright light
::
I
say, Mindanao is exciting
::
Lessons
from a peri-urban agri project
::
Makapuno
industry: A goldmine overlooked
::
Reaping
benefits from China's Nongda 108
::
The
silent giant in tomato land
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