Key takeaways:
- The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is asking the Marcos administration to set up a Technology Task Force to modernize farming and make food more affordable.
- Their plan includes a “multi-faceted” approach to food security, aiming to boost agricultural production and ensure Filipinos can access affordable food.
- The task force would bring together experts from the Department of Science and Technology, agriculture pros, and tech companies to roll out modern farming techniques.
- PCCI wants to strengthen the connection between agriculture and industry through corporate farming and help revive important sectors like coconut and aquaculture.
- They’re also suggesting changes to the Agrarian Reform Law so landowners can keep more land, which would help create bigger and more efficient farms.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is urging the Marcos administration to create a Technology Task Force focused on modernizing farming practices and improving food affordability in the Philippines.
The proposal, presented by PCCI during its 50th Philippine Business Conference & Expo, includes a “multi-faceted” approach to food security aimed at strengthening agricultural production and ensuring that Filipinos have access to affordable food.
PCCI chair Benedicta Du-Baladad said the group’s recommendations came after consulting local chambers and business organizations to identify the country’s most urgent economic issues.
“We received a very long list of suggested resolutions, but we have trimmed it down to the top three, which PCCI considers as the most important,” Du-Baladad said, as reported by Business Mirror.
The recommendations focus on food security, human resources development, and generating more investment, she explained.
PCCI’s plan to address food security highlights a Technology Task Force that would involve experts from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), agriculture specialists, and technology firms to introduce modern farming techniques, such as climate control, precision farming, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
The task force would also launch pilot projects in agricultural regions to test these technologies.
The business group sees this as essential to improve food production levels and reduce costs.
Additionally, PCCI recommended strengthening ties between agriculture and industry through corporate farming, allowing larger investors to introduce advanced technology that smaller farms could adopt over time.
The group also urged the government to revitalize key agricultural sectors, particularly coconut and aquaculture, by conducting thorough assessments to determine specific recovery needs and creating targeted financial aid programs.
Further, PCCI recommended investment in logistics infrastructure for agriculture, such as building modern warehouses, cold-chain facilities, and distribution centers to ensure timely delivery of farm products.
The group also suggested changing the Agrarian Reform Law to let landowners keep more land. This would make farms bigger and more efficient, using new technology.
“Amend the Agrarian Reform Law to increase the land retention limit from five to 24 hectares, including the lifting of the agricultural land ownership ceiling to encourage more concentrated farming businesses,” the resolution said.
The PCCI proposals come amid rising food costs and supply challenges.
The business group hopes these initiatives will address the country’s food security concerns, stabilize prices, and ease the financial strain on Filipino families.Ⓒ
Business Bayani PH 
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