NEDA to discuss impact of climate change on agriculture in policy forum

The effects of climate change on Philippine agriculture is at the center stage of the policy discussions set by the National Economic and Development Authority from September 18 to 19.

In a statement on Sunday, the NEDA said the event will serve as a venue to present the key findings and recommendations of the collaborative research project on addressing the impacts of climate change in the country's agriculture sector.

“Through these avenues, we would like to address the country’s need for careful empirical assessment on the effects of climate change ... [so] we can recommend appropriate policies,” the statement quoted Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan as saying. 

The high-level policy forum and research symposium that will be held at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City is organized by NEDA, together with the International Food Policy Research Institute and Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security.

Senior officials from the Office of Presidential Adviser on Food Security and Agricultural Modernization, Department of Agriculture, Climate Change Commission, Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will attend the two-day event.

A research symposium that will showcase the results of the component studies will follow the policy forum.

In June, Balisacan said that the adverse impact of El Niño and the uncertainties in the global market pose significant risks in agriculture and manufacturing.

"The government must encourage more value-adding activities, especially those that increase the linkage between agriculture and manufacturing," he said.
 
Also he said, "We need to enhance the ability of SMEs (small and medium enterprises) to participate in regional and global markets, in line with the ASEAN economic integration, and pursue diversification of export products and markets, given uncertainties in global demand." — LBG, GMA News