In this modern age of lightning-quick technology of rapidly emerging computer technology applications and artificial intelligence that are constantly changing our lives, I believe it is safe to assume that for most, agriculture is probably not exactly the most exciting topic to talk about.

But folks, let’s face it, agriculture plays a crucial role in the Philippines. About half of our country’s land area is devoted to agriculture, a good fourth of our people are employed in the sector, and the industry contributes about a tenth of our country’s GDP. Above all, in a land of 120 million people with uneven income distribution and spread over seven thousand islands, food security and poverty alleviation are vital for any country’s future.

But unfortunately, as discussed in my article last week, our agriculture industry has been on the decline for several years now for various reasons, some controllable, some uncontrollable, but alas, for some, because of our own doing. We do have some heroes, however, who have stepped up in an attempt to alleviate our problems.

Last week, I cited former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor, who has been tirelessly trying to parlay her expertise in tourism and integrating it into agriculture through Farm Tourism.

Her efforts resulted in the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016 that attempts to provide an all-government team effort to coordinate different government agencies that can support and promote tourism and agriculture hand-in-hand to optimize the advantages of the twin industries.

However, like the fate of most well meaning laws — particularly those that are not accompanied by punitive measures if not adhered to; or lack clearly defined incentives that result in clear monetary advantages for entrepreneurs; or provide relief from stringent bureaucratic regulations; or changing administration priorities; and perhaps most critically, consistency of execution and follow through by a dedicated and vigilant national personality — seeing the intended fruits of the law can be elusive.

Former Secretary Mina, to her credit, has been doing her level best to keep the flames of Farm Tourism bright. Nevertheless, I believe, if given the opportunity and backing of the powers that be, she herself would conclude that it is perhaps high time for a review of the progress, or the lack of it since the enactment of the law, if the law has truly and fully accomplished its objectives.

Offhand, however, from where I sit — where admittedly I may not be fully in the know about the growth of the industry, made more difficult because of the lack of cohesive metrics of the different enterprises actively pushing Farm Tourism, beyond periodically raising the levels of consciousness and awareness of the potential business opportunities during national industry gatherings such as what just transpired in GenSan during the 8th Farm Tourism Conference last week — a concentrated effort by industry players and other stakeholders continues to be non-existent.

We do have some heroes, however, who have stepped up in an attempt to alleviate our problems.

For example, I wonder how many LGUs are there that choose to actively purchase their food requirements from cooperatives that could lower the cost? How many private banks choose to pay penalties rather than lend to the agriculture industry? How many cooperatives are there that are dedicated to providing a common consolidated logistical support such as in purchasing fertilizer, cold storage, exchanging of best practices, warehousing or trucking. How many credit cooperatives are there observing best governance practices that could prompt a more enthusiastic response from the banking industry?

Today, another national personality, who for selfless reasons, decided not to seek another readily winnable term as a Senator of the Republic in 2022, is now attempting to return to the unforgiving, short term memory, public political arena. He is the highly qualified former Senator and Majority Leader Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan who during his tenure as a Senator for more than a decade had an unblemished record, and who consistently championed his advocacy for Agriculture by shepherding among other initiatives the creation of the Sagip Saka Republic Act 11321, similar to the Farm Tourism Act’s intention to provide renewed attention and support to the agriculture industry, and is very much now a dedicated farmer himself.

Kiko is running a difficult race as an independent candidate for the Senate on a platform that hopefully resonates with all of us. I refer to food security and alleviating the poverty and hunger of the masses deeply entrenched in the bowels of Mother Earth. We need Kiko back in the Senate to demonstrate that we as a people, for a change, have some sense in our choice of our national leaders.

Until next week… OBF!

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