Strategic Consultation on
Modernizing and Industrializing Philippine Agriculture
7-8 April 2016 | Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) Convention Hall BSWM, Diliman, Quezon City
Rationale
Agriculture is the lifeblood and backbone of the Philippine economy and “remains to be the primary source of domestic food (Briones, 2014).” It generates employment to one-third of the country’s total employment and, with the inclusion of agribusiness, its contribution to job generation is about two thirds. This implies the immense importance as well as potential of the sector towards the achievement of food security and inclusive growth.
However, structural changes, political dynamics and population surge brought about the shift of the country’s position from a net food exporter to a net food importer since the late 1980s. Thus, recent reports on the sector show a declining trend in agriculture’s contribution to Gross Domestic product (GDP), with an average of 10.3% in 2014, from 20% to 30% in the last two decades, a weakening performance over the years.
The globalization of economies has made it imperative for countries to make relevant adjustments to ensure food security, generate employment and provide quality of life to a growing population. Thus, modernization of Philippine agriculture sector is necessary to further unlock the country’s potential in the context of the ASEAN 2020 economic integration. And the way forward is to mobilize key stakeholders in the crafting and actualization of an integrated Framework for Modernizing and Industrializing Philippine Agriculture specifically addressed on following: 1) supportive policy environment for inclusive growth; 2) state of affairs of resources at their disposal, 3) directions and specific strategies to accomplish major action points.
Hence, this consultation/workshop with key stakeholders from selected agricultural state universities and colleges (SUCs), regional directors of the Department of Agriculture, farmer/fisherfolk associations, and recognized experts/specialists in the field of agribusiness. A collective and shared frame on agricultural development is vital to socioeconomic sustainability.
Objectives
Guided by an inclusive thinking, the proposed consultation-workshop will focus on the visualization of the Framework for Modernizing and Industrializing Philippine Agriculture including discussion on key action points, feedbacks and structural directions towards its realization, to commence this year.
While the activity attempts to let participants internalize the model or the framework, it will also specifically work on:
Mechanics of the Consultation-Workshop
Target Audience
Vice Presidents for Research and Extension of key SUCs, DA Regional Technical Directors for Operations, Leaders of farmer/fisherfolk associations, and other interest groups such as those from rural banks and cooperative development authority etc.
Main Methods
Paper presentation (invited paper), group dynamics, and output presentation and critique
Expected Output of the Consultation-Workshop
Agriculture is the lifeblood and backbone of the Philippine economy and “remains to be the primary source of domestic food (Briones, 2014).” It generates employment to one-third of the country’s total employment and, with the inclusion of agribusiness, its contribution to job generation is about two thirds. This implies the immense importance as well as potential of the sector towards the achievement of food security and inclusive growth.
However, structural changes, political dynamics and population surge brought about the shift of the country’s position from a net food exporter to a net food importer since the late 1980s. Thus, recent reports on the sector show a declining trend in agriculture’s contribution to Gross Domestic product (GDP), with an average of 10.3% in 2014, from 20% to 30% in the last two decades, a weakening performance over the years.
The globalization of economies has made it imperative for countries to make relevant adjustments to ensure food security, generate employment and provide quality of life to a growing population. Thus, modernization of Philippine agriculture sector is necessary to further unlock the country’s potential in the context of the ASEAN 2020 economic integration. And the way forward is to mobilize key stakeholders in the crafting and actualization of an integrated Framework for Modernizing and Industrializing Philippine Agriculture specifically addressed on following: 1) supportive policy environment for inclusive growth; 2) state of affairs of resources at their disposal, 3) directions and specific strategies to accomplish major action points.
Hence, this consultation/workshop with key stakeholders from selected agricultural state universities and colleges (SUCs), regional directors of the Department of Agriculture, farmer/fisherfolk associations, and recognized experts/specialists in the field of agribusiness. A collective and shared frame on agricultural development is vital to socioeconomic sustainability.
Objectives
Guided by an inclusive thinking, the proposed consultation-workshop will focus on the visualization of the Framework for Modernizing and Industrializing Philippine Agriculture including discussion on key action points, feedbacks and structural directions towards its realization, to commence this year.
While the activity attempts to let participants internalize the model or the framework, it will also specifically work on:
- Achieving clarity on concepts of the Framework for Modernizing and Industrializing Philippine Agriculture specifically the four pillars
- Identifying relevant policy issues and challenges of SUCs/Regional DAOffices/Farmer-Fisherfolk Associations in the ASEAN 2020 context
- Elicit roles and determine strategies of SUCs, SUCs/Regional DA Offices/Farmer- Fisherfolk Associations in the pursuit of a Modern and Industrialized Philippine Agriculture (i.e. Enhancement of the curriculum for SUCs, internship or On-the-Job Training)
- Identify specific targets and deliverables of a Modern and Industrialized Philippine Agriculture as baseline for monitoring, assessment and input for review and further enhancement.
Mechanics of the Consultation-Workshop
Target Audience
Vice Presidents for Research and Extension of key SUCs, DA Regional Technical Directors for Operations, Leaders of farmer/fisherfolk associations, and other interest groups such as those from rural banks and cooperative development authority etc.
Main Methods
Paper presentation (invited paper), group dynamics, and output presentation and critique
Expected Output of the Consultation-Workshop
- Enhancement of the paradigm of the Framework for Modernizing and Industrializing Philippine Agriculture with institutional commitments for its realization.
- Enhanced substance of the document on the Framework for Modernizing and Industrializing Philippine Agriculture
- Consolidated report as springboard for discussion during the wider consultation workshop with incoming national leaders
|
|
|
|
|
|