Department of Agriculture officials met with regional agricultural, fisheries and aquatic resources management councils on Monday to hear their recommendations.

Among the inputs that the councils gave were on expediting the modernization of the farm sector, boosting productivity, and ensuring food security.

"If we can work together well, then I think we can move forward faster," Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told the various council heads.

According to the DA, the recommendations presented by the councils addressed issues affecting rice production, fish and other aquatic resources, poultry and livestock, high-value crops and fibers, domestic trade, mechanization, and the construction of irrigation facilities and farm-to-market roads.

Brought up was the establishment of cold storage facilities for vegetables, local nurseries, and seed banks, inland fisheries and hatcheries, a data center for up-to-date agricultural statistics, and the creation of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Laurel said they are presently completing a 10-point agenda to resolve impediments in the agriculture sector and its stakeholders, especially farmers and fisherfolk, adding that more infrastructure, such as warehouses, seaports and roads, will be constructed to lower production costs.

"The DA is working towards digitalization and a thorough review of the minimum access volume to rationalize food importation," Laurel said.

He also guaranteed the councils that the DA would find the funds to address all the issues and recommendations raised at the meeting, and that more consultations would be held in the future.