The government must invest in agriculture modernization and irrigation development to improve the country’s food security amid steady population growth.

In a news release on Tuesday, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian noted the steady increase in the country’s population, making it imperative to aim for increased productivity through the modernization of the farm sector.

“Unless the government embarks on a comprehensive modernization program, it would be difficult for the country to achieve food security, especially that of rice,” Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian pointed out that there has to be a whole-of-government approach, with local government units playing a major role to effectively drive modernization, particularly in areas where financial support and cooperation are wanting.

“In the case of rice, which is the Philippines’ main staple food, the country needs to produce at least 98 percent of its rice requirement,” Gatchalian said.

“On the other hand, our population has increasingly swelled in comparison to rice production. As our population grows, so does our need for rice, and we should address that. However, currently, we can’t catch up because our population is growing faster than our rice production,” he added.

The country’s population was estimated to have reached 112 million in 2023, based on the projected population growth rate using the 2020 census result, according to the Commission on Population and Development.

“Hindi natin matatakasan ang pangangailangan na gawing moderno ang pangkalahatang sektor ng agrikultura upang matugunan ang suplay ng pagkain kasunod ng lumolobo nating populasyon. Dahil dito, mapapaunlad din natin ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka (We cannot avoid the need to modernize the general agricultural sector to meet the food supply following our growing population. Because of this, we will also be able to develop the livelihood of our farmers),” he said.

The Department of Agriculture previously said its 2024 budget includes PHP30.869 billion for the National Rice Program, PHP6.09 billion for the National Fisheries Program and PHP5.28 billion for the National Corn Program.

It has also set aside PHP4.35 billion for the National Livestock Program and PHP1.94 billion for the National High Value Crops Development Program. (PNA)