By Anthony A. Araos
Whether they are in rice terraces or vegetable gardens, women farmers are surely serving as driving force behind the avowed goal of developing agriculture in the county.
They are actively taking part in planting of crops up to harvest time. In Ifugao, they are seen during traditional harvest time of the upland heirloom rice known as the “Tinawon.”
Many are observing and on the lookout for organic and pesticide-free farming methods. For people in the lowlands truly value their health. There’s got to be something positive out of the clamor to stop the use of pesticides in upland farming. It’s time to educate and enlighten Ifugao farmers on what it really means to strive for sustainably-raised produce through eco-friendly and responsible farming.
It now appears that women farmers are affected by the problems faced by the agriculture sector. Agriculture registered negative growth for so many years. It makes sense to look into this matter since each of the 82 provinces contributes to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
According to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), 1996 to 2007, the conditions of production in agriculture persistently worsened. By end of 2007, it had turned out just 18.4 percent of the GDP. Then and now, women farmers are trapped in the low productivity.
Agriculture is the country’s dominant industry. Small wonder, rice fields become the beating heart of communities. An increase in farmers’ and fisher folks’ income derived from agro-fishery commodities and products is therefore very important. The task to build a better life for women farmers merits utmost urgency.
The GDP reflects a country’s economic fundamentals. In other words, it shows if the country’s economy is growing or not.
I don’t agree to the contention that the GDP’s significance should be ignored, as most Ifugao folks are saying. As this matter is related to the poverty issue. More so now, since the Philippines is faced with critical issues such as high cost of living.
It is for this compelling reason that sound programs and policies that help and support women farmers are highly called for. I feel as though I could take on the cause for them not just in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) but also in the other 16 regions in the country.
A lot of us have seen the hardships of women farmers. They are only able to cultivate small farm lots. They need bigger ones to increase their production and income. The government should be doing more to address their difficulties. During the March Women’s Month Celebration unfortunately the focus is on parades and the usual programs highlighted by long speeches and messages of the “Honorables.” Yet, there are issues that are more pressing than those concerning the “greetings” of these officials.
Mind you, there is a simple solution to this problem. Apply the principles of agrarian reform on public lands and distribute all agricultural areas held or owned by the government. The provisions of Executive Order (EO) 75 issued by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2019 calls for all unclassified public lands and government-owned lands suitable for agriculture to be turned over to the Department of Agrarian Reform and distributed to beneficiaries. Why the inability to implement the said provision?
Actual ownership of lands matters. For a long time, many areas were converted into subdivisions, commercial and industrial lands, thus reducing further the scope of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
Ignoring this EO would not do the country and the people good, particularly farmers who are the strategic partners in steering the nation’s economy. Moreover, this is the best way to bridge the huge gap between the rich and the poor and elevate the agriculture sector to greater heights.
While the government loudly proclaims its “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) line, I’ve thought about how women farmers desperately cope up with hunger when they themselves are planting these crops. Indeed, one hell of a task! The government bigwigs say: We value our commitment! Why then is malnutrition so high among children in rural areas?
Women farmers got poorer-much poorer, in recent years. Income distribution in the country remains unequal. Underperforming agricultural sector is still a major concern. The diaspora is here to stay. Amen.**
