00:00 Food security ranks high in the president's working agenda, hence the
00:04 assumption of the Department of Agriculture's work portfolio under his
00:08 care and watch. And he assured the Federation of Free Farmers that he will
00:13 improve their lot by boosting rice production with expanded irrigation, the
00:18 reduction of the price of food items, and the weaning of the country from
00:21 importation among others. Our Kenneth Pachente has more on the occasion of the
00:26 70th anniversary of the Federation of Free Farmers in this report.
00:33 Government will continue to focus on the agriculture sector. That's what President
00:37 Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized on the sidelines of the 70-year anniversary of
00:42 the Federation of Free Farmers or FFF. The president summed up the steps of
00:47 government to improve the agricultural sector in the country, including the
00:50 steps in boosting the production, food supply, reducing prices of agricultural
00:55 products, and less dependency on imports.
00:59 This includes pursuing policies that will support and protect the overall welfare of our farmers, our fishers, our manufacturers, and the consuming public.
01:07 This administration is steering the growth of our fisheries and farming industries with urgency.
01:15 The president is also confident in the government's substantial budget this
01:19 year, which is 85.88 billion pesos, and the proposed budget of 92.4 billion pesos
01:26 next year to help the agri-fisheries sector grow. He also said the current
01:30 administration will continue to promote the strengthening of associations and
01:33 cooperatives to provide business and investment opportunities to their
01:37 beneficiaries, something that will help improve the lives of farmers and their
01:41 families. The government is also strengthening the export of agri-products
01:45 to help develop the economy.
01:47 The Department of Agriculture has allocated 4.73 billion pesos as an investment for the large-scale agriculture and fishery mechanization and modernization.
01:58 You have my assurance that the government is striving to implement efficient mechanization strategies to reduce post-harvest losses and to ensure the optimal yield at an affordable cost.
02:14 However, President Marcos Jr. pointed out that government needs the help and support of farmers to effectively implement these reforms.
02:23 The government cannot do all of this alone. We need your help. We need your efforts. We need your advice.
02:34 You are the ones who are facing the problems of agriculture in our current situation.
02:42 The President recognized the contributions of the FFF, which cares for the welfare of the sector, especially small farmers.
02:50 So I urge all the members of the FFF to keep up the legacy of the founding members. Keep it alive. Stay true to the mission of uplifting all the lives of every Filipino rural worker.
03:05 Meanwhile, according to the Agriculture Department, the public can expect stable rice prices, especially with the kick-off of the harvest season.
03:13 The DA for its part also doesn't see the need to reinstate the rice price cap directive.
03:18 That was really very, an emergency lang talaga na. It really has to be a very short time.
03:24 Kenneth Paciente, for the Nation.
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