Marcos tasks DA to enforce data-driven info to address oversupply of products

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. directed the Department of Agriculture to enforce a data-driven information to address overproduction of agricultural products in the local markets.

Marcos said farmers should be equipped with the necessary information to limit the production of agricultural products that are only saleable in the country's local markets.

“It’s another part of data-driven decisions that we give to the farmers, the producers. Kung ano ang mabenta at this time, this season. So that hindi natin maririnig ‘yung mga balita na nag-over produce, hindi mabenta, nabubulok na lang, pinamimigay na lang,” Marcos said during the meeting with the Department of Agriculture.

[“It’s another part of data-driven decisions that we give to the farmers, the producers. Whatever is saleable at this time, this season ... so that we won’t be hearing of news about overproduction, not being able to sell (the products), beginning to rot, or to be just given away.]

Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that 30% of the country's agricultural produce are being wasted because of poor logistics system.

Laurel mentioned that the Department of Agriculture would be establishing a 5,000 pallet position cold storage for high-value crops and vegetables, which will serve the country's cooperatives and farmers.

In a meeting with Marcos, the DA presented the status of the provision of cold storage and post harvest facilities, plans on reducing the prices of agricultural commodities and enhancing agricultural production, as well as the proposed amendments to the Philippine Fisheries Code and draft Executive Order on Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zones. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News