The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday said it is ramping up efforts to ensure food security in the country in the coming months amid surging fuel costs due to the Middle East crisis and the looming El Niño phenomenon.

During the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing, DA Undersecretary Asis Perez said the agency has been preparing for the “worst case scenario” to protect both the food producers and consumers.

“The good thing about this is that we know what’s likely to happen and we’re able to set up a scenario of what’s going to happen and how to address them. The government is very proactive,” he said.

“Nobody is prepared for this. We’re making great strides so that we can immediately respond, and we have responded. But again, kulang pa iyan susubukan pa nating dagdagan at mas pabilisan (that’s not enough, we will try to expand and expedite it),” Perez added.

Among the key challenges are the rising fuel and fertilizer costs, which can affect agricultural productivity.

“We’re expecting that because of this increase in production cost, ‘yung iba rito baka magbawas ng fertilizer kasi nagtitipid… With the El Niño, kailangan mo ngayong gumamit ng (others may lessen fertilizer use to save. With the El Niño, you need to use) pump. Again, that will require fuel,” Perez said.

To cushion its impact on productivity, the DA has begun releasing fuel subsidies to registered farmers and fishers; the release of PHP10 billion financial aid under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fishers (PAFF) to about 4.175 million registered Filipino farmers and fishers worth PHP2,325 per beneficiary; and the utilization of half of its PHP1 billion quick response fund (QRF) to procure biofertilizer, among others.

“We are able to anticipate the challenge, and this early, we are banking on solutions. Ngayon pa lang may ginagawa na tayo (We are already doing something) to address those possible challenges,” Perez said.

The agency is also studying the transfer of its procurement budget for urea to purchase a cheaper equivalent liquid fertilizer for local farmers.

“If we do business as usual, talagang malaki ang impact noon sa (there’s a huge impact on) agriculture production,” Perez said.

From March 30 to April 3, the prices of urea-prilled range from PHP1,832.50 per 50-kilo bag to PHP2,592.50, with a prevailing price of PHP2,181.46, according to the recent weekly data of the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA).

The prevailing price of urea-granular, meanwhile, is at PHP2,226.67 per 50-kg. bag and PHP1,780.59 for complete (14-14-14) fertilizer.

Agri jobs

Perez, meanwhile, assured efforts to protect Filipino farmers from bearing the ripple effects of the next harvest season due to the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

“Kapag in distress ‘yung mga workers, pwedeng suportahan (If the workers are in distress, they can be supported), but we want to do it in such a way that it’s production-related,” he said.

Instead of disbursing financial aid, the agency is considering utilizing the potential funds for farm workers’ salaries to sustain food production.

“At least ‘yung labor cost mako-cover ng existing program natin, then makakatulong ‘yun sa (the labor cost will be covered by the existing program, and it will help in the) overall productivity,” he added.

“The cost to produce is covered partly by the government fund. That is to relieve owners of course of the additional burden of kasi tumaas nga ‘yung fuel (since the fuel prices have surged).”

Perez said the DA is in close coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Social Welfare and Development to protect agricultural workers. (PNA)