DA to deal with 3 main challenges this year

Navigating New Challenges 5 Lessons Learned from DA's P20/kg Rice Program, FMR Projects, and Fair Palay Prices

The Department of Agriculture (DA) faces three significant challenges in its efforts to support farmers and achieve food security. As it looks to expand its P20-per-kilogram (kg) rice program, implement farm-to-market road (FMR) projects, and ensure fair prices for palay, the agency can learn valuable lessons from its experiences so far.

Lesson 1 Effective Logistics are Critical

To successfully expand the P20/kg rice program, which aims to benefit 15 million households or approximately 60 million individuals by year-end, efficient logistics are crucial. The DA must prioritize the development of sufficient buffer stocks and seamless coordination with local government units. Amortizing the costs and benefits of this program will be essential to its long-term success.

Lesson 2 Transparency and Corruption-Free Practices are Imperative

When implementing FMR projects, transparency and corruption-free practices are non-negotiables. With over 60,000 kilometers of FMR backlog, the DA must ensure that these projects are built to the highest standards of quality and durability at a cost that is fair and competitive.

Lesson 3 Fair Prices for Palay are Vital

Ensuring fair prices for palay is essential to protecting the livelihoods of farmers and achieving food security. The National Food Authority's plan to buy fresh, wet palay from farmers at P17/kg and clean, dry palay at P21/kg during harvest season demonstrates a commitment to supporting farmers while keeping prices in check.

Lesson 4 Stakeholder Consultation is Essential

The DA's decision to consult with rice industry stakeholders on rationalizing import volumes to prevent a decline in palay farmgate prices highlights the importance of collaboration and consultation. By engaging with stakeholders, the agency can better understand their concerns and develop solutions that benefit all parties involved.

Lesson 5 Long-Term Planning is Crucial

Finally, long-term planning is essential for the DA as it looks to sustain its P20/kg rice program until President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s term ends in 2028. By amortizing the costs and benefits of this program over time, the agency can ensure that it remains a viable and effective tool for supporting farmers and achieving food security.

By incorporating these lessons into their approach, climate scientists and professionals can help the DA navigate its three main challenges – expanding the P20/kg rice program, implementing FMR projects, and keeping palay prices fair. With a focus on transparency, stakeholder consultation, and long-term planning, the DA can achieve its goals while supporting farmers and promoting food security for all Filipinos.

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Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.