Farmers restrategize with new tools as hunger looms

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (Tesda) have entered into a new partnership to conduct more trainings for farm workers as the country continues to intensify efforts to boost domestic food production.

In a statement, the DA said this was to help members of the agricultural workforce adapt to the “new normal era in agricultural production and food value chain.”

The plan on capacity enhancement for agricultural production would initially focus on urban agriculture, rice production, livestock and poultry raising, among other modules—all of which would be anchored on the DA’s own P31-billion “Plant, Plant, Plant” program. The latter aims to promote food production capabilities to address food gaps brought about by the pandemic.“Our farmers need a complete package of support and technical assistance to enable them to produce more. In this regard, we welcome the Tesda as a partner as we confront the ‘new normal’ environment as a result of the new coronavirus pandemic,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said.

“With empowered and ‘retooled’ farmers, supported by appropriate technologies and farm inputs, we can claim this win against the imminent hunger due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dar said. “We will strongly coordinate with Tesda to hasten the conduct of these trainings in a manner that follows current quarantine protocols.” INQ