I have been ridiculed in the past for saying that the Philippines could achieve food sufficiency and even become a major food producer in Southeast Asia.
Those who scoffed at the idea of the country becoming self-sufficient contend that we do not have the land area.
Of course, their next line is their concept of food security is by importing whatever we need from our neighbors.
How I wish the proponents of food security through dependency on the global food supply would care to step out of their comfortable airconditioned offices and visit the countryside.
The Philippines has all of the three bssic elements needed for agricultural productivity – sunlight, land and water.
We have long and hot daylights, abundant water and fertile land.
All that is needed is to manage our water resources so that we would have supplies during the summer months.
Water catchments, small dams and water impounding and irrigation systems are needed.
The areas for planting are vast especially in Mindanao. Maximum utilization of these areas is the key to greater productivity.
All that government needs to do is to set a direction for our food producers by identifying commodities needed by our consumers.
The next step is for government to provide the basic infrastructure, the financial support and the assurance of a market to make things work.
To achieve this, their must be a shift in the mindset of our economic and development planners.
They have to believe in the capability of our farmers and fishermen to produce.
For that mimdset change to happen, they have to get out of their comfort zones and see for themselved the vast lands and fishing grounds.
Thr challenge is on: Walk the countryside and sail the coastal waters with me.
#getoutofairconditionedoffices!
#AgricultureIsCommonSense!
#WeCouldBeFoodSufficient!
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