Philippine government efforts to attain food sufficiency
KORONADAL CITY – Farmers should be in the forefront of making sure that the government efforts to attain food sufficiency would be successful, an agriculture official said.
Department of Agriculture Region 12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan expressed his challenge to farmers during a recent dialogue with farmers at Central Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center in Amas, Kidapawan City.
Some 894 bags of certified seeds were distributed to farmers of Kabacan, Pikit, Carmen and M’lang towns affected by recent floods.
“Do not leave us alone in this. Join us in the Food Staple Sufficiency Program because this is for the Philippines, the farmers and the citizens of the country,” she told farmer-recipients.
She also encouraged them to be positive, enthusiastic and honest in implementing the department’s programs.
“I don’t entertain failures. There is no such thing as failure. We’re just challenged by time,” she said, adding that it is difficult to work with people of negative outlook.
As front liners in rice production, the farmers should take their role more seriously for the achievement of self-sufficiency in rice and other staple crops in the country, she said.