President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday reaffirmed his commitment to turn the agriculture sector around to be more robust and pursue self-sufficiency, aiming to reduce the country’s heavy reliance on food imports,
particularly rice.

Speaking before farmers and fisherfolk during the 50th Gawad Saka: Parangal sa mga Natatanging Magsasaka at Mangingisda held in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, President Marcos declared that agricultural self-sufficiency is a central goal of his administration.

“Darating din tayo sa araw na hindi na tayo masyadong umaasa sa importation. Kaya ‘yun ang ating habol. Iyon ang magiging sign of success natin kapag talagang nabawasan na natin nang husto ang ating pagbili ng imported rice,” President Marcos said.

“Pero kayo ang pag-asa. Kayo ang pag-asa ng agrikultura ng Pilipinas,” the President added.

To support this vision, President Marcos unveiled key government interventions aimed at expanding productivity and improving the sustainability of local farming.

Among these is the rollout of 16 mobile soil laboratories, which will provide farmers with vital soil diagnostics to optimize land use and fertilizer application.

The President also inaugurated rice processing and palay drying facilities worth PhP63.9 million and distributed PhP31 million worth of farm machinery to help farmers modernize production.

The Chief Executive explained that the mobile labs are designed to identify the precise needs of different farmlands, allowing for more efficient use of inputs and higher crop yields.

The President announced that permanent soil laboratories will follow the mobile rollout, with one already under development in Surigao supported by Australian assistance. | PND