Jack Enrile: Genuine agricultural growth should reflect economic development in farmers’ lives

Senatorial bet Jack Enrile

“If the agriculture sector improves, then so should the lives of our farmers,” Jack Enrile, United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial bet and Cagayan Representative said regarding the report of the Department of Agriculture (DA) that the agriculture sector grew by 3 to 5 percent this year from 2.9 percent in 2012. “Farmers are still among the poorest in our society.
Without loans and subsidies, they are unable to shoulder the high cost of fertilizers, seedlings and modern farming equipment.
It is a bitter irony that our food producers are the ones who are frequently hungry. “Enrile pointed out.
 The Cagayan solon authored HB 4626 or the Food for Filipinos First Act which now serves as the benchmark of his campaign for Food Sovereignty.
The measure includes providing benefits and access to low-interest credits for farmers and fishermen, intensifying the fight against food smuggling, support for agricultural infrastructure and removal of subsidies on exports. “Aside from subsidies for farmers to counter the rising cost of seedlings and fertilizers, they should be provided with scholarship programs for their children, and trainings for them to learn and be adept at modern farming techniques.
 Agricultural investments will ensure that our food producers will be able to provide a stable supply of food for their families and the whole nation,” Enrile concluded.