Philippines Seeks UN Help To Boost Food Production

In a speech before the 77th session of the United Nations, President Marcos said he hoped the UN would help the Philippines improve the productivity of farmers and fishermen and modernise food production, the Philippine Business Mirror reported on 22 September.

 Marcos said that the government has decided to prioritise local food supplies at a time when the price of imported food in the Philippines is soaring. To achieve food self-sufficiency and security, the Philippines is providing innovative solutions and financial support for farmers and fishermen to adapt to new technologies and connect to national and global value supply chains, with the aim of enabling the Philippines to achieve the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, which include eradicating hunger and achieving food security.

 In this year's State of the Nation Address, Marcos identified agriculture as a priority sector that he hopes will be strengthened and food prices stabilised during his term. He wants to boost agricultural production by providing farmers with financing, cheap fertilisers, pesticides, seeds, feed and fuel. He also wants to improve the distribution of agricultural products by building a nationwide network of farm-to-market roads and expanding the Ministry of Agriculture's market system (Kadiwa).

 Marcos said these measures will be included in the Comprehensive Agricultural Development Plan, which is expected to be completed in the next planting season. The government has allocated 12 billion pesos to extend next year's rice buffer stock capacity from nine days to 15 days to increase resilience in the face of the looming "global food crisis".