SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ — Newly appointed Agriculture Sec. William Dar sought on Thursday the active involvement of farmers, local government units, and the private sector in the implementation of agricultural programs, including the P10-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).
“Yun po ang gusto nating mangyari na palakasin ang mga rice farmers,” Dar said referring to objectives set by RCEF as provided for in the controversial Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) or Republic Act 11203.
Farmers, he said, have been neglected for many years especially cooperatives and farmers associations. “Ilan lamang ang successful na mga kooperatiba, ilan lamang yung malalakas na farmers associations so tulungan natin sila,” Dar asked PhilMech officials led Dr. Baldwin.
Assistance in all programs, including research, distribution, under RCEF should be poured to farmers initially until they reached sustainability by enlisting the involvement of LGUs and private sectors, the agri chief said.
This paradigm, he explained, will transform such groups into corporations in the second year of RTL implementation.
Dar met with government functionaries and farmers in agricultural institutions here such as Central Luzon State University, PhilMech, Philippine Carabao Center, and Philippine Rice Research Institute where he was briefed on programs, specifically in the implementation of the controversial Rice Liberalization Law, also known as Rice Tariffication Law.
At the CLSU forum, Dar heard the concerns of farmers who later expressed appreciation on the government’s efforts to hear their minds.
“Nakatutuwa na hinihingi pa ni Sec. Dar ang aming tulong para sa paglikha ng mga programa na talagang makatutulong sa amin,” said Ricardo Buenaventura who heads one of Nueva Ecija’s most successful farmers cooperatives.
By being part of the program formulation, farmers will never be at loss during implementation, he noted.
Buenaventura said that being farmers, they do not beg for alms but for timely and appropriate support. “We need loans and subsidies not dole outs,” he said.
