Netizens: Agriculture, hunger should be election issues

MANILA, Philippines – Support our farmers, netizens urged on Friday, February 5, during #HungerProject’s Twitter conversation on the plight of agricultural workers.

The conversation comes days after the #HungerProject released a special documentary on the life and struggles of sugarcane farmers in Bukindon.

The documentary highlights how small-scale farmers are carrying multiple burdens: laborious work, small pay, unpaid debts, typhoons and droughts, lack of supplies and technologies, poor  roads and irrigation, among others.

The Philippines is rich in natural sources and yet food insecurity and poverty have been constant problems. Farmers are among the country’s top food producers and yet they are among the poorest sectors alongside fisherfolk and children.

How come? Netizens shared their thoughts:

This is simple. The exploitation of farmers done by landlords is just too persistent. #HungerProject https://t.co/URJyB21D3m

— Stalin. (@astgarrido) February 5, 2016

@MovePH not only in Bukidnon but in the entire country. Those who till the land, landless. Those who feed the nation, hungry. #HungerProject

— Nica Castillo (@heyyynica) February 5, 2016

@MovePH Sadly Fil farmers r a dying breed Unlike d US farmers wu basically hav profits Hir dey r at d mercy of d landlords #HungerProject

— ner (@chichaychi) February 5, 2016

@MovePH Unfortunatley Fil farmers hav limited education dats y dey lack d latest farming. tech Dey came from poor families #HungerProject

— ner (@chichaychi) February 5, 2016

@MovePH @astgarrido For me it boils down to lack of govt policies /prgrams..corruption as usual #HungerProject #AnyareGovt

— ner (@chichaychi) February 5, 2016

Many netizens pointed out landlessness as a key problem experienced by most farmers. This is followed by the lack government support and access to proper education.

To solve such issues, netizens suggested stronger government programs, both at the national and local level. This includes technical and financial support.

Some also urged the government to provide scholarships for the children of farmers.

@MovePH Nxt Govt shud offer scholarship progs wid classroom lectures & field training 2 farmers & interested young people #HungerProject

— ner (@chichaychi) February 5, 2016

Farmers need access to market. Many farmers who diversify crops fail bec they produce without first ensuring market. #HungerProject

— Shereen Razon (@erinrazon) February 5, 2016

@MovePH Govt have prgms but it’s lacking.. few incentives for the farmers . Govt policies favor blue collar jobs..#HungerProject

— ner (@chichaychi) February 5, 2016

Meanwhile, the Philippine Rice Institute suggested a number of fresh ways to support farmers.

@rapplerdotcom Support our campaign on brown rice. Farmers earn more in the long run bec of its high milling recovery & price.#HungerProject

— #RICEponsableAKO (@RICEponsableAKO) February 5, 2016

@rapplerdotcom PhilRice produces quality hybrid seeds that command much lower prices compared to that of private companies.#HungerProject

— #RICEponsableAKO (@RICEponsableAKO) February 5, 2016

@chichaychi @MovePH What we can do is to support education of their children and show them ways on how to make farming a business.

— #RICEponsableAKO (@RICEponsableAKO) February 5, 2016

Another concern raised by netizens was how farmers are now considered an “endangered species” since less and less younger Filipinos are interested in joining the agriculture sector.

In fact, the average age of farmers in the Philippines is 57, which is a few years away from the mandatory retirement age of 60 to 65 in many professions. Many young people are discouraged to pursue farming.

@rapplerdotcom young gen wu shud takeover as farmers leave rural areas 2 try luck n the city. Thats fewer agri workers for PH #HungerProject

— ner (@chichaychi) February 5, 2016

@RICEponsableAKO @MovePH unfortunatley po..nowadays Farming is associated with poverty which is very sad..#HungerProject

— ner (@chichaychi) February 5, 2016

Enrolment in the BS Agriculture program has been in decline in recent years as well. 🙁 #HungerProject https://t.co/kvo2nOSnxK

— Kaye Cabal (@kcabal25) February 5, 2016

@kcabal25 Natutuwa ako whenever a college student tells me they’re taking up agriculture! We need more of them. #HungerProject @MovePH

— Stacy de Jesus (@stacydejesus) February 5, 2016

@MovePH Let’s show them that agri can be way for them to build their own biz, career in research, etc, that’s 1 hurdle down.#HungerProject

— #RICEponsableAKO (@RICEponsableAKO) February 5, 2016

Election issue

Netizens also demanded that hunger and nutrition be tackled as election issues (READ: Make nutrition an election issue)

They are also calling on candidates to revisit the efficiency of national programs and agencies such as the Department of Agriculture and Department of Agrarian Reform. (READ: What presidential bets have to say about hunger)

@rapplerdotcom @kikopangilinan i really wish and pray that the govt. gives our farmers “IMPORTANCE”.They deserve it. #PHVote #HungerProject

— pamela G. (@GraceGalutan) February 5, 2016

@rapplerdotcom Next gov wil hav 2 focus agri n d South No choice D potential s great coz of vast lands n stil underdevelop #HungerProject

— ner (@chichaychi) February 5, 2016

@rapplerdotcom @MovePH reorganize DA. Harmonize projects. Focus on diversifying farms as with diversifying dining plates.#HungerProject

— Shereen Razon (@erinrazon) February 5, 2016

Former food security czar Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan joined the conversation, echoing the demands of the public. He stressed the need to increase the income of farmers. 

Without meaningful government support, the average farmer will stay impoverished. #HungerProject

— Kiko Pangilinan (@kikopangilinan) February 5, 2016

@rapplerdotcom What’s the use of billions being spent in agri programs,FMR, post harvest facilities if farmers incomes don’t increase

— Kiko Pangilinan (@kikopangilinan) February 5, 2016

The solution to solving the bulk of poverty in the country is to transform subsistence farming. #HungerProject

— Kiko Pangilinan (@kikopangilinan) February 5, 2016

To address hunger we must address incomes in the agriculture sector. #HungerProject

— Kiko Pangilinan (@kikopangilinan) February 5, 2016

What is your local government and community doing to help farmers? Let us know, email us at move.ph@rappler.com. Join the #HungerProject and be part of the solution. – Rappler.com