Agri-fisheries eyes measures to modernize sector

Regional agricultural and fisheries councils in the country have made several recommendations to hasten the development and modernization of the Philippine agricultural sector, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

- CATHERINE TALAVERA

In a statement yesterday, the DA said regional agricultural and fisheries councils met with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to submit their recommendations.

“The recommendations presented by the councils were varied and included issues affecting the production of rice, fish, and other aquatic resources, poultry and livestock, corn and feed crops, high value crops, including rubber and fiber crops, coconut, as well as domestic trade and mechanization,” the DA said.

Among the recommendations are the establishment of cold storage facilities for vegetables, including onions, laboratories for biosecurity concerns, as well as the construction of farm-to-market roads or other modes for faster movement of agricultural products.