THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has urged the floriculture industry to unite and come up with an industry road map that will set directions to propel its growth.
Agriculture Undersecretary for High-Value Crops and Agribusiness Evelyn G. Laviña said while rice is a priority commodity of the Duterte administration, the president also wants agricultural growth to be inclusive where all subsectors, including the floriculture industry, will benefit.
“I would like to ask the floriculture industry of the Philippines to move as one with a road map so that DA will give you the help that you need and we can include it in our program,” Laviña told Davao floriculture stakeholders during the opening of the Kadayawan Farm and Garden Agri Trade Fair held on Monday at
SM City Davao.
Laviña said the DA is currently embarking on a color-coded agricultural map to determine which crops or agricultural commodity would be best in a specific area, based on geographic, climate and social type conditions.
She said the DA is looking into providing easy financing program for short gestating crops so that small farmers can avail themselves including ornamental and floriculture growers.
Floriculture Industry of Davao Inc. President Angel Puentespina said the DA’s proposal for the industry road map is “most welcome” as it is the only way for the industry to improve.
“The floriculture industry has been there for a long time and mostly participated in by small growers and small farmers. In the past, there were attempts for large group and companies to invest and be part of the industry but for several reasons, they have not sustained their participation,” Puentespina said.
“I think it is really necessary that the vision of where we want to go would be defined so that we can determine what are the best [strategies] to move forward.” he added.
Moreover, Davao City Councilor Marissa Abella said that the council’s agriculture committee can help in crafting the floriculture industry road map particularly in organizing small ornamental farmers and
growers in the city.
“In formulating the industry road map, we will ensure that production areas of ornamentals from highlands to lowlands will be identified, and the necessary support that they need will be provided both by DA and the local government,” she said.