Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said discussions on agriculture must not only focus on productivity, but more on what benefit farmers should receive as contributors to the economy.
\”Sometimes what gets lost in that discussion is what is going to be the profit that goes back to the farmers, and in the end this is really what it’s all about. It is about a decent living for our farmers so that our farmers can live by virtue of their hard work,\” Marcos said Monday.
The president delivered a speech after the signing of the memorandum of agreement for the Kapatid Angat Lahat for Agriculture Program (KALAP) in Malacañang.
KALAP is a partnership between public and private agencies that seeks to promote \”inclusive economic growth.\” for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME).
Marcos, who is acting secretary of the Department of Agriculture, said that he wants to strengthen the agricultural sector.
In his speech, Marcos said beyond just surviving, farmers \”live by virtue of their hard work.\”
\”That they can, besides just surviving, that they can hold out hope within themselves, that soon, one day, we can do more. We will buy more property, we will build a business. There is hope, and there is a chance for them to better themselves in their life, for their families, for their communities. That is what we are trying to do,\” he said.
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Marcos has faced a number of challenges in the agriculture sector recently. In January, he said the country had to import produce as there was not sufficient supply to meet demand.
