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Friday, March 29, 2024

Dar expects agriculture to post modest growth of 2%

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Agriculture Secretary William Dar expects the agriculture sector to post a modest growth of 2 percent in 2020.

“We are confident that we can attain a two-percent growth this year, that in turn will help fuel a higher national economic growth target. We strive to achieve the said growth trajectory in strong partnership once again with the local government units, private industry, academe, civil society organizations, organized farmers’ and fishers’ group, and this time with a new breed of young agri-preneurs,” he said Friday.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar

The National Economic and Development Authority reported that the country’s agriculture sector expanded 1.5 percent in 2019, despite the African Swine Fever in Luzon, relatively low farm gate prices of palay, threat of fall army worm and low prices of coconut oil.

The department is also keen on pursuing the effective implementation of the programs and projects under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, or RCEF, as  it continues to manage, contain and control the spread of the African Swine Fever.

“Now, more than ever, we will strongly support and pursue the production and export of agricultural and fishery commodities that we have comparative advantage. Hence, we will continue pursuing and strengthening strategic partnerships with major and emerging trading partners, and more importantly  intensify the marketing and promotion of Philippine farm and fishery products worldwide,” Dar said.

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The department vowed to attract more investments from overseas Filipinos and foreign partners by fully implementing the ‘Ease of Doing Business Act,’ and by providing conducive policy and infrastructure-laden, graft and corruption-free environment.

The Department will also pursue ‘internal cleansing’ and strengthen and synchronize efforts to effectively and cost-efficiently implement programs and projects under “our new thinking for agriculture that envisions a food-secure Philippines with prosperous farmers and fisherfolk.”

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