Expert sees need to treat agriculture sector as an industryPRIVATE sector leaders in Philippine agriculture deplored that the country has been lagging behind among its peers in the Asean 5 in terms of growth and development in agriculture, and solutions like consolidation, contract-growing and treating agriculture as an industry are needed to realize the sector’s vast potential. Meanwhile, the trade deficit reached $5.9 billion that makes the Philippines the only net food deficit country in the Asean 5, Fausto added. Javier said the government should adopt strategies that will make small farmers become “bigger” as they are organized into groups or clusters. He said clustering is important because it will be the key to lifting small farmers and fisherfolk from poverty. When clustered, small farmers can enter the global supply chain where margins are bigger.

Source: Manila Times May 14, 2021 16:51 UTC