The government’s banner food security programs have been allocated P42.8 billion in the 2023 General Appropriations Act to invigorate agriculture as a major driver of growth and employment.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has emphasized many times that agriculture is a top priority concern of his administration,” said Secretary Amenah Pangandaman of the Department of Budget and Management.

She said the programs of the DA and its attached agencies will get the funding needed to increase farmers’ incomes and productivity, in line with the government’s Eight-Point Socioeconomic Agenda.

Getting the lion’s share of the DA allocation is the National Rice Program with P30.40 billion, doubling the budget for rice production from P15.78 billion in 2022.

The National Corn Program, which aims to increase quality corn and cassava production for human consumption, feeds, and industrial uses, received P5.02 billion.

The National Livestock Program got P4.50 billion, while the National High-Value Crops Development Program was allotted P1.80 billion.

The Organic Agriculture Program received P900 million to promote, propagate, further develop, and implement organic agriculture in the country.

Lastly, the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program was given P318.47 million to promote urban and peri-urban agriculture and other emerging agricultural modes through the “Plant, Plant, Plant” Program.