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[av_heading heading=’EDITORIAL’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”][/av_heading]
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THE COUNTRY has about 10.3 million hectares of agricultural lands. Out of this figure, according to the National Irrigation Administration, around 3.1 million hectares are considered irrigable. Nonetheless, the lack of irrigation has been a longstanding problem for farmers for a variety of reasons.
There is one good news that brings fresh hope for farmers this new year. Much has been said about the 2018 national budget on how it benefits college students (free tuition in state schools) and uniformed personnel (salary increase), but the country’s hardworking farmers haven’t been left behind. Included in the P3.767-trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2018 is a P2.6-billion allocation for free irrigation.
From the outset, President Duterte has vowed to help boost farmers’ production by subsidizing their irrigation needs. He highlighted this yet again when he signed the 2018 GAA.
The P2.6-billion irrigation fund represents a 30-percent increase from its 2017 allocation. In the 2017 budget, P2 billion was allocated as subsidy for free irrigation.
Farmers and fisherfolk comprise 40 percent of Filipinos living below the poverty line. They are still among the poorest in the country and freeing them from the burden of paying irrigation service fees will significantly reduce production cost, hasten productivity and increase their income.
Our farmers need all the help they can get if we are to achieve our potential as an agricultural juggernaut in Asia. The free irrigation scheme would help push the growth and development of the agriculture sector as well as help our country achieve its food security goals. With proper planning, this dream can be a reality.
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