The farm sector has performed to the best of its capacity despite numerous hurdles, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

“Technically, this year has been not too good. As I said before, we are in a perfect storm. Basically, I think the performance in general of the production in the agriculture sector is down for 2024,” Laurel said at a recent dinner with the media.

He attributed this decline to a series of calamities, including El Niño, La Niña, typhoons, and volcanic eruptions, which affected various agricultural products. However, he highlighted rice as an exception, citing stabilized prices this year.

“We don’t just let it go down because we have adequate supplies of rice,” he emphasized. Laurel also noted that 2024 marked the highest buffer stock levels for the National Food Authority (NFA) in the past nine and a half years, reaching six million bags.

“In general, I think the DA (Department of Agriculture) has performed well with its limited budget. [Even though] our mandate on price control for rice and corn has been removed [and] production is down. But then, of course, we look forward to 2025,” Laurel added.

Among this year’s achievements, Laurel highlighted increased mechanization for farmers and the establishment of more rice processing systems.

“I think, as far as the DA is concerned, the team is ready. We will come out with the next plan for 2026, 2027, and 2028 in one go,” he said.

Despite anticipating similar natural hazards next year, Laurel assured the public that the DA is prepared to address these challenges. He also expressed hope for surpassing the record-breaking 20.6 million tons of rice harvested in 2023.

Policy milestones, achievements

Laurel cited policy changes as a major achievement for the DA, including reforms in the importation system and efforts to curb smuggling.

According to him, approximately over 90 percent of smuggling activities have been eradicated, which helped lower prices.

Laurel also reported price reductions in sugar, onions, and fish compared to previous years. He expressed optimism about recovering pork production next year through vaccines and improved biosecurity measures, highlighting progress in addressing the African swine fever (ASF).

“The checkpoints were done well. We’re constantly communicating with the LGUs and the stakeholders. That’s why the ASF didn’t spread too much. There’s more cooperation [between] the government and the private sector,” Laurel added.

Agripuhunan, Pangtawid programs

Another key achievement was the rollout of the Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid (APP) program, which provides rice farmer members with low-cost credit, financial assistance, and a ready market for their harvests.

“It is good that the farmer’s needs are being financed per cropping. Since we started late in the game, only a few were onboarded. But next year, by February, for the next planting season, we plan to onboard 100,000 farmers. If that succeeds, then technically, with contract farming, the farmer will be bankable,” Laurel explained.

Challenges ahead

Looking ahead, Laurel identified reducing the price of rice as the biggest challenge for 2025.

“To bring the price of well-milled or regular-milled rice down — that’s the biggest challenge. There is no specific goal to lower to a certain price. Right now, our Kadiwa stores are selling at P40 per kilo. As of today, we already have 10 markets plus four in MRT stations that sell at P40,” he said.

While reception in markets has been positive, Laurel noted resistance from some market masters.