00:00From shifting planting calendars to smarter irrigation, the government is rolling out long-term solutions to help farmers weather climate challenges.
00:16With insurance, solar pumps, and flood controls in place, these programs aim to boost yields, protect livelihoods, and keep food on every Filipino table.
00:24Rain or shine.
00:25Arvel Pustodio tells us more.
00:26The government under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. continues to implement programs aimed at improving climate resiliency of the agriculture sector to ensure food security amid climate change.
00:41One key initiative is the adjustment of the cropping calendar through climate-smart agriculture, which increases crop intensity.
00:48The National Irrigation Administration, or NIA, is strategically scheduled sa cropping calendar during drier periods to maximize palay or unhast rice yields.
00:58This shift is expected to significantly boost farmers' incomes.
01:02The government also prioritized the solar pump irrigation projects, which is provided for free to farmers.
01:07Ito na yung mga producers natin ng high-value crops.
01:12So, makita nyo lang sana, like mga projects namin sa Cebu, makita mo yung pagbabago ng buhay ng ating mga farmers kasi ngayon marami na nagpapatayo ng mga konkretong bahay doon.
01:23So, yung tulong na ito, talagang far-reaching ang naabot na ito.
01:28Ito yung, di ba ang gusto ng ating panguloy is pagbabain ng poverty incidents?
01:33Eh, ang more than 50% ng ating mahirap na sa agricultural sector.
01:38Ang maganda dito sa solar-driven irrigation natin, pump irrigation, four to six months lang namin tinatayong.
01:45So, mabilis yung turnover natin dito.
01:48The NIA is also working closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways to improve flood control systems in dams, especially during the rainy season.
01:56Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture, or DA, is promoting alternative wetting and drying as a sustainable water management strategy.
02:04Pinapromote din natin through technical expertise galing sa World Bank, sa ADB, yung ibang proven technology kagaya ng alternate wetting and drying to minimize yung requirements sa tubig.
02:20From 2022 to mid 2025, more than 11.7 million farmers have benefited from agricultural insurance, with total coverage amounting to 390 billion pesos.
02:30It involves almost 5 million hectares sa rice, 1.63 million hectares sa corn, almost 6 million heads ng poultry and livestock, sa high value is almost 1.65 million.
02:46So, in terms of policies, nasa more than 13,000 policies yung naibigay nila.
02:54So, ganito kalaki na yung nai-cover ng insurance.
03:00The DA is now working to expand insurance resources for local farmers.
03:05Their goal is to encourage private sector participation by 2026.
03:09Ngayon, meron din tayong binubuong proyekto na kung saan i-involve na natin ang private sector sa insurance at magbubuo tayo ng co-insurance pool para mas mapalaki pa natin, mas mapalawak pa yung coverage ng insurance.
03:23Beyond doon sa ibinibigay lamang ng PCIC or Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.
03:31Under the Coconut Farmer and Industry Development Plan, social protection programs are also being introduced for coconut farmers, including medical assistance and scholarship packages.
03:41These initiatives are vital given the growing number of workers in the agricultural sector.
03:46The DA reports that agriculture contributes around 9% of the country's gross domestic product.
03:52To strengthen disaster preparedness, the government is ensuring that the National Food Authority, or NFA, maintains a sufficient buffer stock of rice.
04:00The NFA allocates 35,000 metric tons per month, or over 400,000 metric tons per year, to the Department of Social Belfare and Development.
04:08The DA assures allocate buffer stock, especially as more pile is being delivered to the NFA.
04:14This measure shows the government's commitment to sustaining food security, despite the challenges brought about the climate change.
04:21Velt Pustodio, for the National TV Network, for a new and better Philippines.
