President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stressed on the immediate need to modernise the agriculture and fisheries sector, as part of the efforts to make the Philippines a “food-and nutrition-secure” nation. Marcos made the remark during the celebration of the 70^th founding anniversary of the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) at the Salvador Escudero Hall of the National Meat Inspection Service on Visayas Avenue, Quezon City.

“This administration is steering the growth of our fisheries and farming industries with urgency,” he said, noting that the Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated Philippines Peso, PHP 4.73 billion (USD 83 million) as an investment for the large-scale agriculture and fishery mechanisation and modernisation. Marcos, who also leads the DA, expressed optimism about realising his bid to modernize the agri-fisheries industry, given the allocation of PHP85.88 billion (USD 15.08 billion) for the sector in 2023 and the proposed allotment of PHP92.4 billion (USD 16.23 billion) in 2024.

He said his administration is striving to implement efficient mechanisation strategies to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure the optimal yield at an affordable cost and the government is also doing its best to increase the exportation of the country’s agricultural products, acknowledging that the move is “an essential driver in the competitiveness of our economy.”

“In line with that collective mission, I wish to reaffirm one of the top priorities of this administration, which is the enhancement of our agricultural productivity, the guarantee of our food supply, the affordability of our food supply, and our lessening dependence on importation,” Marcos said. “This includes pursuing policies that will support and protect the overall welfare of our farmers, our fishers, our manufacturers, and the consuming public,” he added.

Marcos also hoped for a closer collaboration with the FFF, as he recognised its long-standing cooperation and partnership with the government in sustaining development in the areas of agri-fisheries, agrarian reform, and agricultural cooperatives. He assured the organisation that the government is pursuing the strengthening of various agricultural associations and cooperatives, to provide beneficiaries with business and investment opportunities. “This will definitely elevate the standard of living, improve the lives of the farmers and our fishers and that of their families,” Marcos said.

“You have solidified your presence over the past seven decades, and I eagerly anticipate an even deeper collaboration, given our shared commitment. I thus enjoin all the men and women of FFF to continuously take part in supporting and empowering our farmers and fisherfolk.” Since its inception in 1953, the FFF has been at the forefront of the struggle to liberate Filipino farmers from social, political, economic, moral, and cultural oppression. To date, the FFF enjoys a mass base of about 200,000 farmers and fisherfolk and remains one of the largest and most reputable organizations of farmers in the country.

Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/, 25 October 2023.

Five officers from the Ministry of Fisheries are currently in Korea attending a ‘Global Women’s Leadership Training Programme in Marine Bio-Resources Information System’. The programme has been designed to share Korea’s experiences in the field and to strengthen its partnership with Fiji. There are a total of 15 participants attending the programme from 3 countries.

Source: Ministry of Fisheries, Fiji, 23 October 2023

Malaysia's first shrimp farm operated with the help of Sustainable Aquaculture Farming System (SAFS) has officially commenced white leg shrimp farming (vannamei) in Penang, marking a new chapter in Penang's seafood industry. According to Pearl Express, Penang Premier Cao Kwan Yau visited Asia Aquaculture's smart shrimp farm in Batuman, Penang on Sunday afternoon to understand the prospects and needs of the industry. When asked by reporters later, he said that the relevant industries have great potential, the demand in the market is huge, the future prospects are very promising, once well planned, it will certainly be able to contribute to the Penang economy.

"With the help of science and technology, white leg shrimp farming can be more systematic and controlled, and the problems faced by traditional shrimp farming can be reduced, such as diseases, farming cycles and mortality of white shrimp." Therefore, he hoped that the relevant industry would work closely with the relevant government agencies, such as the Penang State Executive Councilors, who are in charge of the relevant areas, to discuss how to solve the current challenges, such as finding suitable sites to set up farms.

"As far as I know, there are currently several locations suitable for setting up white shrimp farms, and the state government will review the recommendations of the industry before deciding how to assist the development of the industry in Penang." In addition, with regard to the environmental problems of white shrimp farming, he believes that with the cooperation of government professionals, professionals and operators, better solutions will be obtained to solve these problems. Earlier, the company's chief executive officer Datuk Ismail said at a briefing that shrimp farms operating using the Sustainable Smart Aquaculture System (SAFS) have 10 times higher capacity than traditional shrimp farms.

"Among them, the mortality rate of white shrimp farmed in this system is only 5% to 10%, which is much higher than the survival rate of traditional shrimp farms, and other risks are relatively reduced under scientific farming. "He revealed that for the relevant projects, the company specially sent personnel to Vietnam to learn from experience and studied for more than many years before completing the technology transfer and setting up the relevant smart farm in Penang. He hopes to work with the Penang government in the future to develop the modern aquaculture system and become a major seafood aquaculture hub in the country, bringing new economic resources to Penang. Present were Penang First Deputy Governor Datuk Mohd Abdul Hami, Penang State Executive Councilors Famizano and Rasidy and Director of the Penang Fisheries Department Zalina.

Source: https://www.orientaldaily.com.my/, 22 October 2023.