DA chief cites gains amid challenges in 2024, expects better performance next year

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said Wednesday that 2024 is proving to be a litmus test for the Department of Agriculture and lessons learned from recent challenges should push the agency to do a better job next year.

During DA’s last management committee meeting this year, the DA chief described 2024 as a “perfect storm” of challenges that tested the mettle of various DA offices whose efforts and initiatives were praised by no less than President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. Aside from producing food despite climate and disease challenges, Sec. Tiu Laurel said what earned the most praise is the initiative to stabilize food prices and supply because it helped tame inflation.

Inflation decelerated further in September to a four-year low 1.9 percent due mainly to lower food prices, particularly rice. More stable food prices, including sugar, onion and fish, also helped improve the trust rating of President Marcos, Jr., according to the latest survey of pollster Publicus Asia.

After a record rice harvest and creation of over half-a-million new jobs in 2023, he noted that the positive trend continued in the first half of the year, with the sector adding 8.5 million tons of palay and 3.7 million tons of corn to its harvest. Sec. Tiu Laurel proudly announced that “for the first time in nine years, the National Food Authority has ample supplies of palay.”

The DA chief acknowledged pressing issues affecting the sector, including high fuel and input costs, drought, floods due to La Nina, and disruptions in the value chain. However, he noted that these obstacles did not prevent the sector from achieving remarkable gains in livestock, poultry, and crop production, raising hopes for 2025.

“I expect that we should perform much, much better next year,” said Sec. Tiu Laurel, adding that the DA must be ready “to tackle whatever comes its way without excuses.”

In addressing food security, the agri chief cited the importance of actions taken against illegal activities in the agricultural sector.

“Even before Congress passed the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, the Department, through the Inspectorate and Enforcement Office, took action against smugglers,