CV Food Security Summit tackles issues besetting agri sector

The flactuating market prices of vegetables and the fear of the African Swine Fever (ASF) are some of the concerns that cropped up during the recently held Central Visayas Food Security Summit in Cebu City conducted by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The summit attended by the various agriculture stakeholders in the region identified issues and concerns of the sector that will be submitted to the national level in preparation for the National Food Security Summit in April 2021.Key players on swine, poultry, vegetable and mango industries from the private and public sectors were invited as these are the major commodities that have comparative advantage with that of the other regions in the country.

In his message, DA7 Regional Executive Director Atty. Salvador Diputado said that the regional food summit will help draw out regional specific issues and concerns. He added that the One DA approach will serve as a guide of the agency in crafting and developing a national food security roadmap based on the issues and concerns raised in the food summit.

Secretary William Dar, in his video message, said that the Philippine agriculture sector faces a very challenging tasks in this time of pandemic and calamities, hence there's a need to strengthen the food production and distribution system.

"There's a need to firm up regional strategies that will form part of the national blueprint for a more secured and sufficient, safe, and affordable food on the table for every Filipino," Dar said.

Dar emphasized the development and implementation of a local action plan, as he encouraged the Local Government Units (LGUs) and private sectors to ensure and meet the food needs of the population, not only for today but also in the future.

The regional summit held simultaneously in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor was done in modular or blended approach. The summit is anchored on the theme "Food for Today and Beyond: Transforming Philippine Agriculture."