President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stressed the importance of agriculture to the domestic economy's growth on Monday, emphasizing his pledge to prioritize the sector in order to achieve food security.
In his speech at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in the Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, Marcos stated that he took on the role of head of the agriculture department because agriculture, according to their studies and plans, plays a major role in the economy's recovery.
The Chief Executive also emphasized the necessity of the country being able to develop its own farm machinery, which is now being done in partnership with foreign partners at the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech).
He stated that PhilMech has manufactured machinery for planting, cultivation, harvesting, and post-production, in addition to the agency's other services like loans and transportation to farmers and customers.
Marcos further said that the availability of farm machinery from PhilMech reduces the country's need to import similar equipment, which was the case during the pandemic to help raise food production.
Relatively, he stated that the government is always developing strategies and measures, such as revamping dam buildings and utilizing solar electricity.
According to the president, the government is looking to strengthen research and development to raise agricultural productivity.
Upon arriving, Marcos examined many agricultural machines, technologies, and products on display at the CLSU.
Tractors, harvesters, dryers, and other agricultural equipment will be used to increase agricultural output in Nueva Ecija.
He also observed the signing of an MOU on Agriculture and Fishery Development Cooperation between the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) and Agricultural Training Institute and Korea's Kyungpook National University (KNU).
Marcos also oversaw the distribution of various aid, including funds for agricultural facility building and financial grants to beneficiaries, which included farmer cooperatives and groups.
Meanwhile, Central Luzon is known as the Philippines' rice granary due to its massive rice production capability, which is expected to be over 3.66 million metric tons (MMT) in 2022–22.
It is also the country's largest onion producer, with a 2022 output of 131,547,77 MT from a land area of approximately 7,866 hectares.
Furthermore, the province has around 13,945 commercial livestock and poultry raisers, with 36,907 heads of livestock, 10.02 million heads of poultry, and 33,912 heads of swine.
Similarly, there are around 203,434 backyard raisers with 124,468 livestock animals, 750,284 poultry animals, and 43,384 swine.
