Stakeholders support proposed 2016 DA budget, laud gov’t for project implementation

Representatives from different concerned government agencies and private institutions convene to discuss DA’s proposed budget for next year that is aimed towards a more competitive and sustainable agriculture and fisheries sector.

Members of the National Agriculture and Fisheries (NAF) Council unanimously approved to endorse the proposed P81.3 billion budget for Department of Agriculture’s (DA) ongoing programs and projects (Tier 1) for fiscal year 2016.

Composed of representatives from different government agencies, civil society organizations, non-government organizations and farmers’ groups, the NAF Council, chaired by DA Secretary Proceso Alcala, convened last May 25 at the Pearl Hall, SEAMEO Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology, Diliman, Quezon City.

The NAF Council is the apex mechanism for consultation and dialogue between and among government agencies, local government units and the private sector. The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries serves as the council’s secretariat.

During the meeting, private sector stakeholders noted how the country attained the fastest rice production growth rate among other rice producing countries in the ASEAN region and lauded the DA for their efforts to make this possible. They also commended Sec. Alcala for the successful implementation of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).

“The department has achieved more because of the efforts of our farmers as well as the participation of our private sector stakeholders,” Sec. Alcala stressed.

Aside from the interventions the DA has crafted, the NAF Council also recommended the increase of the High Value Crops Development Program budget, for the decreased farmers and fisherfolk poverty rate be considered as a target indicator in the DA’s thrusts and priorities, ensure the availability of agri-fishery technicians at the municipal levels, ascertain the preciseness of the farmer and fisherfolk registry system, among others.

The stakeholders also urged the DA to focus on promoting climate change adaptation and resiliency among farmers and fisherfolk for them to be able to increase their productivity amid erratic climate conditions.

Subsequent to the NAF Council meeting were simultaneous consultations with each of the PCAF sectoral committees last May 29 to validate and thresh out priority new or expanded programs and projects for the Tier 2 budget.

DA’s 2016 commitments

The proposed 2016 DA budget is 56.26% higher compared with last year’s approved budget under the General Appropriations Act.

With this, the department hopes to attain agri-fishery gross value added growth of 3.5-4.5%, increase agricultural exports by 9.5-10.5% and improve labor productivity by 2-5%.

Private sector stakeholders lauded the DA for its achievements in the previous year.

To achieve its commitments for next year, the DA has proposed P586 million for agricultural and fishery policy services and P25.7 billion for technical and support services which include production support services, market development services and extension support, education and training services, and research and development.

Under the budget proposal, funds for irrigation network services is P2.7 billion; farm-to-market road network services, P15.6 billion; agricultural equipment and facilities, 8.6 billion; agriculture and fishery regulation services, P3.6 billion; and, credit support services, P4.1 billion.                                                                                                                                        

For the implementation of its major programs and projects, the department is proposing a total budget of P11.3 billion for rice, P3.3 billion for livestock and poultry, P2.88 billion for corn, P2.88 billion for high value crops, P8.8 billion for fisheries, P8.9 billion for farm-to-market roads, P635 million for organic agriculture and P9 billion for the PRDP.