Farmers and Fisherfolk Need More Support as PH Aims for Self-sufficiency and Food Security

As the country continues to move towards self-sufficiency and food security, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and senatorial aspirant Loren Legarda has committed to bolstering the agriculture sector by supporting farmers and fisherfolk. “I note that we are the only country in the ASEAN region that is a net importer of food. This is unacceptable, as our country is rich in resources and we have more than 10 million hardworking small farmers, forest settlers, and fisherfolk,” she explained.

Maintaining her stance, the current representative of Antique pointed out the success of the province over the past year as it reported a 27.4% increase in palay production and a 3.8% rise in yield. “With the exceptional support of the government: from providing seeds, tools, equipment and market access, self-sufficiency in agriculture can be achieved,” noted Legarda. Antique is among the few provinces across the country that has achieved a “rice self-sufficient” status.

However, Legarda urged for the further development of scientific research and innovation, especially for climate-resilient technologies, which would significantly benefit the sector. “During Typhoon Odette, Del Carmen in Siargao was miraculously spared from storm surges because it is home to 4,871 hectares of mangroves,” she elaborated. “We need to work with and alongside natural processes. Nature-based solutions, such as planting mangrove greenbelts, have been very effective in preventing further loss and damage. Our farming and fishing communities could benefit from policies and plans that build with nature.”

The senatorial candidate also highlighted the community production of seeds, which are locally adapted to the soil and climate, as well as the use of integrated solutions such as integrated duck-rice farming. Legarda also weighed in on water scarcity, which has become a prominent issue across the country.

“If we had healthier soils, we can prevent erosion or run-off,” she affirmed. “For example, if our farmers used the straw from their palay and applied it to their rice fields, the straw is converted to organic matter. They would be close to achieving one percent organic matter, which translates to about 50,000 gallons of water retained.”

Legarda likewise draws from her own experiences as a backyard farmer allowing her to practice saving and staring her own seeds, utilizing mulching and a rainwater catchment for irrigation, and growing her own food. “We need to rethink our food system. We urgently need to move from environmentally exploitative farming to regenerative practices,” she expressed.

“Presently, our policies are focused on large-scale farming and production for export. Considering that we have about 10 million small farmers, forest settlers, or fisherfolk, it is in smallholder agriculture where change is needed to increase the food supply. If the government provides adequate support and intervention, small producers will have additional income-generating opportunities while encouraging local food supply.”

The House Deputy Speaker and Antique representative was also a three-term senator during which she co-authored House Bill 8385 or the Integrated Urban Agriculture Act focused on promoting and institutionalizing urban agriculture as a sustainable land-use system. Legarda is also co-author of the Rural Farm Schools Act under Republic Act 10618.

Further, the senatorial candidate also emphasized the need to address the plight of women farmers who comprise 27.3% of workers employed in the agricultural sector but continue to be undervalued. “Support to the sector should also include support to our women farmers, who have less access to productive resources than men do.”

“Today is a unique opportunity to undertake a new course in food production, processing, distribution, and consumption,” declared Legarda. “The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the role of agriculture in our country. When import and export grounded to a halt, it showed the need for the country to be self-sustainable. Shorter supply chains, local sourcing, and stronger urban-rural relationships would provide more resilience in times of crisis rather than relying only on international trade. For me, the way forward is: small-holder agriculture, family farming or backyard gardening.”