The government should make agriculture a top priority to prevent a food crisis as a result of the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Abra lone district Rep. JB Bernos said Friday.
“Due to the continued rise in production costs, our farmers and fisherfolk may turn away from agriculture unless we provide long-term support,” Bernos said in a statement.
“Buong bansa ang magdurusa kapag tinalikuran ng magsasaka at mangingisda ang kanilang kabuhayan (The whole country will suffer if farmers and fishers turn their backs on agriculture).”
The lawmaker’s comments came after Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said that domestic fuel prices may never fall back to the P60-per-liter mark because of structural damage of oil facilities in the Middle East.
Bernos warned that high production costs because of the prolonged high price of oil could be the “final nail in the coffin” for many small agriculture players who would not be able to sustain operational costs.
“We should continue working towards reducing input and output costs in agriculture. This means free or cheaper and easier access to fertilizer, seeds, mechanized equipment, and post-harvest facilities, among others,” he said.
Bernos also backed government plans to expand local biofertilizer production, which would shield the agriculture sector against further volatility due to dependence on imported chemical fertilizers. (PNA)
