THE country needs to invest P500 billion annually for at least five years to revitalize the agriculture sector, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said, adding that this includes the budget for the National Irrigation Administration.
The Agriculture department had proposed a P220-billion budget for 2027, but was given a ceiling of only about P160 billion. “It’s still under negotiation,” Tiu Laurel told reporters.
The proposed allotment includes the P20-billion Animal Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (AnCEF), created under Republic Act 12308, or the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act, to boost the domestic livestock, poultry and dairy sectors.
AnCEF is assured of an annual P20-billion budget for 10 years, funded by tariffs collected from imported livestock, poultry and dairy products.
Should the DA budget ceiling remain at P160 billion, Tiu Laurel said he hopes the P20-billion AnCEF fund would be added on top to make the DA’s total budget at P180 billion.
The DA allotment also covers farm-to-market road (FMR) projects. While the ceiling set for FMRs is P16 million, the DA requested P33 billion for 2027 — at par with this year’s budget — citing continued demand from farmers and fisherfolk.
“Wherever I go, farmers and fisherfolk are requesting [for FMRs],” Tiu Laurel said, noting that these roads have become more important amid rising fuel prices this year.
Implementation of FMRs was transferred to the DA this year following the corruption controversy linked to the Department of Public Works and Highways’ flood control projects.
Tiu Laurel acknowledged that the DA’s final budget would depend on the government’s overall fiscal space, saying the department would make do with whatever it is given.
“We will work with what we have and make the most out of it,” he said.