For agriculture development to take place, we must use the seed-to-shelf approach. To do this, producers from agriculture (which is often includes fisheries, by definition) and agribusiness should unite. This is not an option. It is a necessity.
AF2025
This is why two years and 8 months ago—on Feb. 10-11, 2011—200 leaders in a tripartite conference from the executive, legislative and the private sector met for two days to craft an Agriculture and Fisheries Vision for 2025 (AF2025). They jointly formulated short-, medium- and long-term policies and programs to achieve this vision.
The conference was divided into five sub-groups: rice; poultry, livestock and animal feeds; commercial crops (including coconut); fisheries; and fruits and vegetables. Using the seed-to-shelf approach, agriculture producers and agribusiness people interacted with each other to help make their respective commodity clusters develop and grow. The private sector leaders who emerged from these interactions were evenly distributed: three from agriculture; three from agribusiness; and two from academe.
The three from agriculture are members of Alyansa Agrikultura. They are Arsenio Tanchuling (Kilusang Mangingisda convenor and Tambuyog executive director), Jose Elias Inciong (United Broiler Raisers Association president) and Daryl Layesa (PKKK National Rural Women Congress secretary general).
The three from agribusiness sector are members of the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Fisheries. They are Roberto Amores (Philfoodex president); Philip Young (Golden Shell Agribusiness awardee); and Senen Bacani (former Agriculture secretary).
From the academe are University of the Philippines-Los Baños’ Emil Javier (former Science and Technology minister) and Ateneo de Manila University’s Cielito Habito (former Socio-economic Planning secretary).
Leading the executive branch was Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala. Sen. Francis Pangilinan and Rep. Llandro Mendoza, both chairs of their respective agricultural committees, led the legislative branch.
Scorecard
A recent scorecard was made on the achievements and issues for each sub-sector. To give a flavor of the work they have been doing, I am listing below only one achievement and one unresolved issue (except for the cross-cutting cluster). It credits the good work done. It also points to what actions should take priority in the remaining three years of the Aquino administration.
For rice, an achievement is the emphasis on organic agriculture. An issue is the proper monitoring and implementation of the greatly increased but improperly used irrigation budget that exceeds P20 billion a year.
For livestock, poultry and feeds, an achievement is the now easy access of the private sector to the relevant DA agencies. An issue is the lack of domestic subsidies such as critical infrastructure which other countries give their farmers in this category.
For commercial crops, an achievement is a significant increased budget for the coconut industry (projects like cacao intercropping have started, but overall effort is still very inadequate). An issue is the lack of preparation for the endangered sugar sector to cope with the imminent 2015 Asean trade liberalization.
For fisheries, an achievement is that plans are discussed by the broadest gathering of stakeholders (though implementation is sorely lacking). An issue is the significant lack of fishery registration and settlement areas, both of which are mandated by law.
For fruits and vegetables, an achievement is the study on the benchmarking of key fruits and vegetables in other countries. An issue is the severe lack of effective market matching between producers on the one hand, and agribusiness and consumers, on the other hand.
Difficult environment
For cross-cutting issues, an achievement is the formulation of commodity roadmaps (though still lacking in substance). An issue is the lack of an effective agriculture anti-smuggling program, poor credit access and inadequate women empowerment.
“Be gentle as doves, but wise as serpents.”
Recent weeks have shown the grave abuses committed by leaders of both the government and private sectors. It is time AF2025 participants wise up and demand transparency from government so that they are not fooled.
There has to be clear accounting and appropriate charges filed with private sector participation, preferably done by the private-public sector National Agriculture and Fisheries Council (NAFC) budget committee. At one time, this committee was not even allowed to meet for one year and three months. Transparency is a necessary prerequisite for meaningful participation.
There should be more new organizations with agriculture producers and agribusiness united not only for better planning and implementation, but also for putting pressure on transparency. If this transparency is achieved, the new organizations can join the existing ones in an expanded tripartite AF2025 conference. This will enhance the achievements gained, resolve the remaining issues, and take us on a faster journey to the AF2025 vision of agricultural development, food security and higher incomes for the small farmers and fisherfolk.
(The author is chair of Agriwatch, former Secretary for Presidential Flagship Programs and Projects, and former Undersecretary for Agriculture, Trade and Industry. For inquiries and suggestions, e-mail agriwatch_phil@yahoo.com or telefax (02) 8522112).