The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday it will prioritize the construction of farm infrastructures in 2025 to benefit more farmers and fishers.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said they would propose a budget of around PHP513.81 billion, or more than double its current budget of PHP208.58 billion.

“[The budget proposal] is still a work in progress but clearly shows the direction where we are headed,” Laurel said.

In particular, the DA plans to request PHP287.98 billion for its attached corporations, including the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Food Authority (NFA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), and the National Dairy Authority (NDA); while around PHP225.83 billion shall be requested for the modernization and agricultural smuggling crackdown efforts of DA’s bureaus.

The majority of the targeted expenditure shall be allocated for the rice subsector equivalent to 57 percent of PHP294.21 billion.

This shall be followed by the fisheries subsector with PHP50.6 billion; locally-funded projects with PHP45.48 billion; and other remaining proposed funds for other subsectors including high-value crops, livestock, corn, and credit programs, among others.

Out of the DA’s approved budget this year, PHP114.28 billion is allotted for the agency proper while PHP94.30 is earmarked for its eight attached agencies.

Laurel earlier said the DA needs to secure PHP93 billion for the improvement of post-harvest facilities alone, which in turn, shall lower rice and corn wastage in the country.

To date, about 12 to 15 percent of local rice production is wasted due to a lack of post-harvest facilities, according to the DA. (PNA)