The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has commissioned the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) for a 10-year plan that will enable the Philippines to become a top agricultural producer.
SEARCA Director Glenn B. Gregorio told a press orientation that the “National Agriculture and Fisheries Organization and Industrialization Plan” will be implemented until 2030.
“We have already submitted our recommendations to the Department of Agriculture [DA],” said Gregorio.
The industrialization plan has a nine-point track to carry out:
Consolidated production and postharvest facilities (commodity systems-oriented)
Construction of critical infrastructure spatially integrated within agri-fisheries industrial business corridors
Modernized food terminal facilities and similar facilities linked to transport nodes in urban and peri-urban areas.
Smart irrigation and water impoundment or retention systems serving two or more commodities
Other large-scale infrastructure (waste management facilities, fish ports, ICT (Information Communication Technology) including high-speed connectivity
Scaled up mechanization and adoption of other commercial scale-oriented technologies
Large-scale production and distribution of biologically safe technologies including biopackaging
State-of-the art research and development facilities linked to province-led agriculture and fisheries extension systems networks
Development of agri-fishery enterprises and business incubation initiatives linked to large investors.
Gregorio said the 10-year plan requires a budget of P5.03 trillion.
“The budget should come from the public sector, P2.5 trillion, while the other P2.5 trillion will come from the private sector.”
SEARCA itself has launched its own programs that seek to attract investments in the knowledge economy which taps on the economy’s intellectual resources to generate wealth.
For one, the SHARING Cafe provides for creative learning experience that can lead the young generation to contribute to farm industrialization.
“The SHARING Café is an interactive component of the SHARING innovation spaces, which aims to provide a creative learning experience geared towards Agriculture 4.0 in Southeast Asia,” said SEARCA.
“The SHARING Café will be an innovative venue for ‘play-to-learn’ activities for guests and fun learning modules for K-12 students in the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.”
