A farmer is someone who works in agriculture and produces a range of food for both humans and animals. Farmers can be of numerous forms, from animal breeders to crop growers.
Farmers are responsible for the crops and livestock that are essential for our survival. Without food, the world would slowly die. Farmers strive and work relentlessly every day to keep enough crops and animal products on the market to prevent this from happening.
Local rice farmers are suffering and are on the losing end since the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 11203 or the Philippine Rice Tarrification Law.
Bantay Bigas said that the law had a negative impact on Filipino farmers, “We have been warning against this prior to the enactment of the law, and now we are now facing the destruction of the rice farmers, the primary productive force of our national rice industry,” they said in a statement.
While waiting for the supply glut to dissipate, some business owners reported that they had to downscale or cease operations, lay off staff, idle mills, trucks, and other equipment, and restructure their bank debts. Some people are said to have abandoned the rice business and moved on to other ventures.
So, if farmers lost a lot, and consumers gained almost nothing, who won?
John Castriciones, secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), said it is high time that farmers get all the help that they need since they take the cudgel for the nation’s requirements at this time of the pandemic by “providing food on our table.” As he admired the farming sector for playing a major role, he said the farmers are the ones who are “keeping the country’s economy rolling.”
Amidst the health crisis, the official said Filipinos can beat the pandemic by working together for the highly successful revolutionized farming system through different agricultural projects. Castriciones aid the project could help increase food productivity that “will redound for the benefit of our people.”.
Our group came up with a concept to empower our local farmers, therefore we launched a campaign project using social media as our platform, as well as a project for our local farmers called "Bangon Magsasaka Project."
To promote our advocacy, our group needs your assistance and support. We will do everything we can to distribute accurate information in order to create knowledge about the importance of sustaining our agriculture, honoring our neglected heroes, and assisting our Filipino farmers in regaining their footing.
