The Department of Agriculture-Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (DA-MRIDP) and the Government Service Insurance System are looking to invest in agricultural mechanization to improve productivity.
This came following a recent meeting between Agriculture Usec. Leocadio Sebastian and GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso where they discussed the possible investment to attain the objectives of the DA-MRIDP, the DA said in a release.
Aside from mechanization, Sebastian noted the importance of clustering and consolidation in attaining the food security agenda of the Marcos administration.
“It is essential to incentivize farmers by consolidating them into clusters and connecting them to the market, ensuring they earn more,” he said.
“Ultimately, higher incomes and increased rice self-sufficiency will be the most beneficial outcomes of the MRIDP,” Sebastian added.
On the other hand, Veloso said the state pension firm is looking at investing in sustainable agricultural mechanization that takes into consideration farming tools that are environment-friendly, reasonably priced, and adaptable to local conditions and durable.
The move is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in his second State of the Nation Address last July 24.
“Our aim is to boost our local agricultural production – through consolidation, modernization, mechanization, and improvement of value chains – augmented by timely and calibrated importation, as needed,” the President said. – PNA
