By Anthony A. Araos
Bring home happiness this Christmas with some gifts by dropping by on November 19 and 20 at the DTI and PAENRO-sponsored pre-Christmas products fair at the Atrium of the provincial capitol building in Lagawe, Ifugao.
‘Tis the season to be jolly, start thinking of gifts for the family, loved ones, relatives and friends. Come up early with a list of gift choices for all of them. Great holiday treats easily include wines, fruits, ham and queso de bola. Shop early.
Sadly, many are unable to do so in impoverished Ifugao. It is not unusual to see this happening around due to several reasons. One of them is the unemployment problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 that collapsed the economy.
This move of the fair’s organizers is commendable. Will it be sustained? What will happen to the exhibitors after two days?
If I were those in powerful positions I would opt to focus on agriculture because it’s the main industry of the province. I take the side of the long-suffering men and women of the agriculture sector. I’m strongly pushing for empowerment of farmers and fishermen to experience genuine inclusive growth and equality. There is a need to boost infrastructure spending to create jobs for rural folks. As things are, the lack of farm-to-market roads, communal irrigation systems and post-harvest facilities in Ifugao is obvious. For instance, losses of farmers due to lack of dryers are substantial. If there were only public mechanical drying systems, most especially those that harness solar energy, farmers would not dry their palay (unhusked rice) on cemented roads. This is not efficient since many of their palay get wasted. Yet, this is taking place throughout the province. We are not anymore in the 1950s.
The agriculture sector in other provinces is still developing, but is underdeveloped in Ifugao. Farmers are largely raising “tinawon” rice, yet it isn’t profitable or viable.
Anything that goes against the interest of the agriculture sector should be a concern of the government and, specifically, the provincial government.
While there are pronouncements of support from the officialdom, what I see is inaction for which I want to know the real reason.
Joblessness is now a serious concern in the agriculture sector here. What makes this problem more frightening is that young folks are no longer interested in taking over the farms. Farmers are feeling the high cost of living. The economic growth long touted by the government would amount to nothing if it does not trickle down to the people, particularly the poor. In this case, I’m clearly referring to poverty-stricken farmers.
What happened to the traditional Christmas gifts, many of them expensive ones? Simple! Climate change, environmental degradation and costly fertilizers brought forth added burden and misery to our soil tillers. Joblessness is a heartless gift. Don’t give it to our farmers. They feed the nation.
Again, it’s impossible for smart-feeling Ifugao folks to say the problem is “insignificant.” I say, again and again, interventions are needed. Putting in place dramatic measures to address the problems of the agriculture sector is required. I hope that it will be sooner rather than later.**
