Leyte: Agriculture cuts poverty rate

In Leyte, the poverty level dropped from 31 percent in 2012 to 23 percent in 2015. This was inspite of “Yolanda,” which dealt the province a heavy blow in 2013. How did this happen?  Leyte Governor Dominico Petilla provides a one-word answer: “agriculture.”

Continuing the agriculture emphasis in his second term,  Petilla aims to see the poverty go down further to 15 percent in 2019.   If this happens,  Leyte will have less than half of the rural poverty rate of  the Philippines, less than the rate of Vietnam (19 percent),  and almost as low as Thailand and Indonesia (both at 14 percent).

Petilla continues: “I  disagree with the emphasis of agriculture development being on things such as seeds, fertilizers, tools, and mechanization.  Though these are all important,  the emphasis should be more on people,  than on things.

Four pillars

Petilla’s emphasis on people rests on four pillars:  health; education and skills,  character and values; and increased incomes. Farmers cannot work if they are not healthy. Consequently,  information programs on health habits to prevent sickness are given to the farmers. When farmers get seriously ill,  there are eleven hospitals in various parts of the province that cater mostly to farmers.

Education is also given on basic agriculture in the elementary and high schools. However,  even those who are illiterate are provided with programs on agriculture production. These people can achieve skill levels in production  even higher than the literate people.  They should therefore be harnessed rather than ignored.

But even if a farmer is healthy,  educated and skillful,  he can be a liability rather than an asset if he does not have strong character and the right set of values. Petilla addresses this with programs such as a three-day workshop called “Sons and Daughters Encounter.”  This is where farmer parents and their children discuss the appropriate values needed for success.  Examples are integrity,  discipline,  hard work,  team spirit and generosity.

With the combination of health,  skills  and values,  the fourth pillar is to harness these traits in an income generating venture that will take the farmers out of the poverty trap.  This involves knowing the business aspects,  such as a defined market,   the correct production technology,  and the appropriate partners and  contacts.

From violence to prosperity 

At Barangay Villa Conzoilo in Jaro, Leyte,  there was much unrest  because of the poverty level.  The military and NPA engaged in frequent battles. Selling votes was rampant because people were poor and needed money.

For this barangay,  Petilla solicited the help of government agencies and the private sector to introduce livelihood activities such as organic vegetable farming. With the added three pillars of health, skills and the right values, povery significantly decreased. In this barangay,   36 formerly poor farmers now collectively  earn P12 million in annual revenue.

Petilla’s strategy is to do this agriculture program for the whole province,   but he will use  a barangay by barangay strategy.  He will have 300 nucleus barangays  by 2019 in different parts of the province.    They will provide the impetus and models for inclusive growth in the surrounding areas.

To help ensure that agriculture development will be a priority for  each municipality,   Petilla has gotten the support of Leyte’s municipals mayors.  To address the problem of many municipalities  where the agriculture extension workers do work other than agriculture because of directives from misguided mayors, there is a comprehensive monitoring system to keep track of each municipal agriculture extension worker’s performance.  This has a corresponding reward and penalty system.

Leyte has shown how agriculture can  overcome poverty. Its  provincial planning head, Cora Alvero (0917-83861230),  can provide details on making Leyte a possible model to follow.

The author is Agriwatch chair, former Secretary of Presidential Programs and Projects, and former Undersecretary of DA and DTI.

Contact him at [email protected].