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Vol. 5 No. 2
Feb. 1-28, 2004
S&T in agriculture is strategy for hunger-free Philippines-FAO

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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

June 2010 Articles:

:: BAR is focal agency for Organic Agriculture RD&E
:: RA 10089 creates Philippine Rubber Research Institute; BAR leads drafting of Implementing Rules & Regulations
:: DA celebrates 112th anniversary
:: Book on FIELDS program launched
:: BAR provides server to PhilAgriNet; agricultural info database launched
:: 2KR Program Gran support BPSU's organic vegetable profuction through protective cultivation technology
:: Balik scientist develops sustainable biofuel
:: Shift to high-yield varieties is the way to go
:: Milking profit from dairy farming through CPAR on processing feeds
:: Tech forum and exhibit to showcase commerciable technologies from agriculture and fisheries research
:: DA-IRRI hi-tech project to boost palay yields

 
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