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Part II
AGRICULTURE
AND FISHERIES MODERNIZATION WITH SOCIAL EQUITY
Majority of the poor are in rural agricultural areas and are engaged in subsistence farming and fishing. To reduce poverty herein, the Macapagal-Arroyo Administration is committed to a comprehensive rural development based on productivity improvements, agrarian reform rural industrialization, and sustainable development.
Agricultural productivity must improve to raise rural household incomes. This calls for a meaningful implementation of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act. Farmers and fisher folks will have access to modern agricultural and fishery inputs developed through research and development. Rural industrialization with viable off-farm enterprises will accompany agricultural modernization. The development of infrastructure facilities like irrigation and farm-to-market roads will be accelerated. A well-functioning rural credit market is indispensable.
Asset distribution reform is a fundamental strategy to fight poverty. In this regard, land reform shall continue, along with more effective support services for agrarian reform beneficiaries. The Administration is committed to complete land distribution within the decade. To ensure the flow of private investments to agriculture, land-based issues, such as the reluctance of banks to accept land as collateral will be addressed.
As agriculture is modernized, safeguards will be put in place to ensure that intensified production activities do not undermine the integrity of the environment. The Plan espouses policies that promote environment-friendly technologies and sustainable farming practices that conserve natural resources.
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