Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. expressed commitment to spearheading initiatives for the development of the Philippine agriculture in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s agenda for modernization and mechanization for food sufficiency.
“We recognize the significant role of horticulture and urban agriculture, and what it does, and its role in our nation’s food security, economic growth and sustainability,” Tiu Laurel said at the Pagsibol: Philippine Horticulture and Urban Agriculture Summit 2024.
He said horticulture offers a pathway to diversity with its focus on cultivation of high-value crops and ornamentals. He said that as the country’s agricultural landscape is limited, it could help meet the evolving demands of domestic and international markets.
“It presents a unique opportunity to reimagine the role of urban spaces in our agricultural system and harness the capacity of idle lands into centers of food and land production,” he said.