DA seeks more funding for high-value crops

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is seeking an eight fold increase in its budget for its high-value crops (HVC) program next year to improve the productivity of around 30 commodities and expand exports of key commodities.

- JASPER EMMANUEL ARCALAS

Based on its budget proposal, the DA wants P16.772 billion for its HVC program in 2025, about 765.54 percent higher than its P1.937 billion budget this year.

The exponential increase that is being sought by the DA is aimed at providing "transformative interventions" to almost 30 high-value crops in the country, Agriculture Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero said.

The budget of the HVC program has been between P1.5 billion and P2 billion in recent years, which is quite small since the program covers a lot of commodities nationwide, she said.