DA to fortify agri sector against climate change challenges

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will fortify the sector of farmers and fisherfolk against the challenges of climate change, which is an immediate and critical global concern, Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said on Monday, November 20, 2023.

“Underlining our shared commitment to building resilient farming and fishing communities, this year’s theme: “Bayanihan Para sa Klima: Bagong Bansang Matatag” accentuates the importance of working hand-in-hand as we collectively fortify the agriculture sector against the challenges of climate change,” Laurel said at the kick-off of the Climate Change Consciousness (CCC) Week.

Addressing climate change “demands our prompt attention and concerted action. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has emphasized the critical need for implementing measures to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change across various sectors, especially agriculture and food production,” he added.

Laurel, who has expanded his family’s fishing business before joining government, made this key policy pronouncement just a few weeks after his appointment. In previous public engagements, he said he has experienced the effects of climate change first-hand.

Representing Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III, Kathryna Yu-Pimentel said the proposed 2024 DA budget includes a special provision to increase resilience among agriculture communities through infrastructure and seeds development.

“Special Provision Number 15 within the budget emphasizes that the Department of Agriculture shall endeavor to increase the resilience of agriculture communities through two key approaches. First through the implementation of disaster-resilient agriculture infrastructure projects. Second through the development of seeds that are optimally adaptive to present and future climate change condition,” she said.

Pimentel conveyed his full support for the new Agriculture Secretary.

“Buo po ang aming suporta sa kanyang liderato at sa buong pamilya ng DA,” she added.

The Climate Change Consciousness Week also celebrate the 10th anniversary of DA’s Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) Program which trains all communities, particularly those dependent