A recent video post I made on free-range chicken farming in Miarayon, Talakag, Bukidnon was viewed by 1.8-million netizens while the article reached 3.7-million readers.
In addition to that, the number of “Likes” for the “MannyPiñol” Facebook page has steadily grown over the last eight years since I and John Pagaduan started it – from 200 to over 700,000 as of last week.
The number of followers is also nearing 800,000.
While these numbers are enough to bring joy and a sense of accomplishment for me as the page owner, I look at these statistics as proof of the growing interest in agriculture and livelihood opportunities.
What is interesting is the fact that the number of “Likes” and “Followers” and the views of agricultural videos increased dramatically during the Pandemic.
There could be three explanations:
1. People stayed at home thus giving them more time to access the social media;
2. People lost their jobs and businesses and are looking at agriculture and fisheries as options;
3. People realize the importance of food in a crisis thus the interest in agriculture.
These numbers could serve as a good guide for our economic policy makers and budget planners in formulating our economic recovery plan following the COVID 19.
I am praying that they will not again fall into the same pit that found themselves in now – focusing on shallow economic programs which all sputtered and collapsed as the restrictions were imposed and the supply chain was severed.
From where I stand, the full development of the rural areas and the allocation of more resources for agriculture and fisheries are our assurance of a resilient economy which could keep the nation going and growing even in the worst crisis.
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!
#TouchGroundFeelThePulse!
#GetOutOfAirconditionedOffices!
More Stories
Trump Presidency Boon To Philippine Agriculture
Mindanao Fruit Fest Scheduled Sept. 2025
DA, MinDA, LGU! MinDA Targets Tribal Areas For Highland Rice Farming