A Different “Merry Christmas!” From PH Secretary Of Agriculture William Dar

  

“DA To Pursue Systematic, Strategic Approaches To Further ‘Grow’ Agri-Fishery Sector.” That is the title of the latest press release from the Department of Agriculture, DA. The paragraphs that follow count exactly 25 – by content, it really looks and sounds like Secretary of Agriculture William Dar is wishing every Filipino “Merry Christmas!”

I don’t think he planned it, but I find it the most significant, substantive, solid and stimulating singular statement from the DA to us Filipinos about the Promise of Agriculture & Fisheries to this archipelago in the Pacific Ocean.

The very first sentence reads like a “summary” of the DA’s Christmas Wish for the whole country:

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will implement key strategies to “grow” and fuel the transformation of the Philippine agriculture and fishery sector into a modernized and industrialized economic powerhouse.

(From Depositphotos.com, the superimposed image of the glowing Christmas tree[1] is shaped like the Philippines, isn’t it?!)

“Transition into a modernized & industrialized economic powerhouse.” If we target to be Good, we might as well target to be Best!

Mr Dar tells the DA people:

We must be purpose-driven, ensuring that our programs and projects are of value, not only to recipients but more significantly to the whole society in real terms.

All for one, one for all!

How does the DA plan on delivering those services?

At the core of this strategy is farm clustering and consolidation, dubbed as “Bayanihan Agri Cluster” or BAC that aims to converge and integrate government interventions such as provision of loans, farm mechanization, free seeds and fertilizers, and market support.

“Such as” makes it an incomplete list, but we can see already how they will greatly affect the farmers who produce our food:

Loans – 
These are easy loans from government, not from usurers, not 5-6. Farmers now have all the reasons for doing good farming because they have enough funds.

Farm mechanization – 
The DA is not going to wait for the Filipino farmer to mechanize his farming – the DA is mechanizing it now! Financing him to either hire or buy.

Free seeds and fertilizers – 
No farmer will have the misfortune of using bad seeds because the free seeds from the DA are guaranteed. Fertilizers will be free, so that there is no excuse for not applying.

Market support – 
The singularly crucial support of the public & private sectors in the matter of bringing food from the farm to the market to the consumer will continue to be carried out efficiently.

I must reiterate that the DA’s Christmas Wish List has “farm clustering and consolidation” – Bayanihan Agri Cluster or BAC – as the core of the overall strategy. “We must empower our farmers and fishers through collective action so they will have the opportunity to partner with the different actors in the industry.”

More and more, the DA will develop farming and fishing in terms not of individuals but associations, cooperatives, groups. The DA will “vigorously implement systematic, inclusive approaches (from below).” Inclusive partnering for inclusive development. All for one, one for all!@517


[1]https://depositphotos.com/292366196/stock-illustration-merry-christmas-greetings-happy-new.html

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lessons Learned From Roman Catholic “Father Acong” About Successfully Building Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) With Enduring Love

Image
I have been reading & rereading the book “ Father Ciriaco Alberto Sevilla, Jr – MSK Trailblazer” (242 pages, published 2010 in Lucena City, edited by Milwida S Reyes ). A 12-year-old book – is the content still relevant to come up with a new version? My answer is, “Yes!” Personally, I want the book to highlight the love for the poor parishioners that Father Acong showed, as he had single-mindedly created 400+ Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) in the far-flung villages of Quezon Province before he died Oct 2007. If that is not love for the poor, I don’t know what love is! About the BECs, Msgr Lope C Robredillo, VG, says [“An Overview Of The Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs), From The Other Side Of History , msgrlope.blogspot.com ]: The Second Plenary Council of the Philippines devotes two paragraphs to describe the BECs… “They are small communities of Christians, usually of families who gather together around the Word of God and the Eucharist.” As Roman Catholic, an edit
Read more

BBM Sir, Climate Change Is Our Goliath – Be Our David & Throw A Single Deadly Stone – RA

Image
No denying – destructive winds, floods, landslides etc are thrown at us by the Goliath called “Climate Change.” As Secretary of Agriculture BBM Sir, please be our Brave Little David and throw the little stone called “RA” – Regenerative Agriculture . Then, we produce zero greenhouse gases (GHGs) and defeat Climate Change! (“BBM” from nypost.com ), “David Slaying Goliath” from herbertrsim.com ) In our inaction – Deaths and damages are everywhere. Admin says (accompanying top image): “Massive Infrastructure Damage To Hamper Post-Pandemic Growth In Western Visayas” ( boracayislandnews.com ) – about landslides and rampaging waters churned by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng . Ellen T Tordesillas says (accompanying middle image): “The Bridges Of Antique And Climate Change” (01 Nov 2022, verafiles.org ) – about the Paliwan Bridge in Antique collapsing. Krixia Subingsubing says: “New Climate Reports Point To Surging Global Disaster” (01 Nov 2022, Inquirer , newsinfo.inquirer.net ):
Read more

“The Times Call For A More Expansive Notion Of Agriculture” – PH Ex-Secretary Of Agriculture William Dar, Commencement Speaker, Benguet State University

Image
Days towards and at the end of his term as Secretary of Agriculture, I saw the full figure of William Dar on Facebook every now and then – with a happy face! The above image is from his Facebook page, 12 July 2022, with this caption: “Liam Dar Sicada and myself enjoying the breeze and fresh air at the farm in Lingsat, Sta Maria, Ilocos Sur!” Liam is a granddaughter, and Mr Dar is a native of Santa Maria. Ilocano. As an Ilocano myself, I dare say the ilocanos are a hardy, happy race! Mr Dar was Secretary of Agriculture from 05 Aug 2019 to 30 June 2022. The happy face is showing 12 days after an intense 29 months of accepting the problematic past, directing the chaotic present with 27 agencies of the Department of Agriculture (DA), and pointing to the promising future of Philippine agriculture. President Ferdinand “BBM” Marcos Jr has taken over the chaos as interim Secretary! On the morning of Friday, 08 July 2022, Mr Dar was guest speaker in the 97th Commencement Exercises of his
Read more