The agriculture sector has a lot to learn from the lessons of the sugar industry.
This was stressed by Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, who said the rampant importation of sugar substitutes and lack of farm mechanization have contributed to recent difficulties for stakeholders.
In yesterday’s press conference in Bacolod, Marcos urged various agencies to act fast to support the agriculture sector she said was neglected in the recent past.
“The copra and the tobacco industries must learn from the lessons of the sugar industry in Negros. This is to ensure our food security. Rampant importation of substitutes is not the sution,” Marcos who is running for senator in next year’s election said.
She specifically underscored the threat of High Fructose Corn Syrup to the sugar industry, saying farm producers must be supported by a mechanism under the government that will help in trading and providing ceiling prices quite similar to the concept of a defunct national sugar trading agency NASUTRA.
She said farm inputs can be lowered through mechanization, as she calls for more government support to the agriculture sector.
Marcos is also calling for the suspension of the Value Added Tax.
“The impact of the TRAIN Law is not that much. However, suspending VAT on fuel and other commodities even just for a year has a greater impact because that will mean a reduction of 12 percent in prices,” Marcos said.
Gov. Marcos food production and security is attainable for the country when the agriculture sector gets more support. (City PIO/NDB)