My September Birthday Wish – William Dar Back As PH Secretary Of Agriculture!

September is my birthmonth. Considering millions, plural, of Filipino farmers who remain poor, and considering 2 prior appointees as Agri Sec who have so far failed the farmers, I declare we need an Agri Sec who has a National Vision, Mission & Strategy – the Strategy to fulfil that Mission to bring that Vision to life. None other than William Dar – he who was abruptly interrupted when he had started right and was doing well, the fact being beyond the comprehension of the PH President!

Gumamela Celes Bejarin says when Pres Rodrigo R Duterte appointed him as Agri Sec in 2019, Mr Dar came in with his (“Dar Advocates Strategic, Sustained Investment In Agri For Sustainable, Inclusive Growth” (DA, da.gov.ph):

New Thinking for Agriculture, a science-based and inclusive development strategy built around eight paradigms, namely, 1) modernization, 2) industrialization, 3) promotion of exports; 4) farm consolidation, 5) infrastructure development, 6) roadmap development, 7) higher budget and investments, and 8) legislative support.

Unfortunately, Mr Dar was rudely interrupted and that Vision dimmed.

The World Bank believes in Mr Dar; it says, “Philippines: Vibrant Agriculture is Key to Faster Recovery and Poverty Reduction” (09 Sept 2020, World Bank, worldbank.org), quoting Mr Dar as saying:

Our vision is a food-secure and resilient Philippines with prosperous farmers and fisherfolk. Realizing this vision will require (us) to continuously empower farmers, fisherfolk, agricultural entrepreneurs, and the private sector to increase agricultural productivity and profitability…

The World Bank report also says:

“The report… part of World Bank support to the Department of Agriculture’s ‘New Thinking’ in agricultural development, suggests shifting… towards improving the overall resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability of the rural sector.”

The immediate past PH Secretary of Agriculture failed the Filipino people; the current Agri Sec has so far failed similarly.

The World Bank report also says:

“In the past, spending has gone mostly toward price supports for selected crops and goods, as well as subsidies on inputs such as fertilizer, planting materials, and machines. Global experience shows that while ensuring the availability of key inputs remain important, reorienting significant public spending toward investments in public goods – including research and development (R&D), infrastructure, innovation systems, market information systems, and biosecurity systems—results in faster poverty reduction and greater productivity gains through an overall modernization of agriculture.”

What are also important? The World Bank says, “…Research and development (R&D), infrastructure, innovation systems, market information systems, and biosecurity systems” are also necessary.

Who can understand all that except an Agri Sec who has local and international experiences in leadership – followers starting from the bottom? No other than Mr Dar. He was the Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) based in India, who led ICRISAT, from also-ran among the 15 international agricultural agencies under the CGIAR Group, to the top – Mr Dar was “rewarded” by keeping him ICRISAT head for 15 years (3 terms), 2000-2014!

With Mr Dar back as Agri Sec, we have an achiever with a New Thinking for the advancement of agriculture in the Philippines!@517