Thread by @rapplerdotcom

Outgoing Agriculture Sec William Dar speaks to @piaranada about the challenges awaiting Marcos Jr. in ensuring food security and affordable prices of agricultural goods and modernizing a sector long associated with poverty and hardship. #RapplerTalk rappler.com/nation/intervi…

@piaranada Dar led the agriculture department under multiple challenges – the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law, African Swine Fever, typhoons that regularly battered crops, and the surge in oil and gasoline prices taking a heavy toll on farmers and their income.

@piaranada What were your initial thoughts when you heard that Marcos will takeover this sector?

Dar: I am one of the happiest Filipinos welcoming this development because no less that the President will have the time to understand the complexity of challenges [the agri sector faces.]

Dar: Agriculture has been neglected for so many years. Sabihin natin, 30 years or more. And as a result, the growth of agriculture stunted while population growth is beyond the annual growth of agriculture. #RapplerTalk

Dar on Marcos' decision to head the agriculture department: Itama na 'yung prayoridad na ibibigay sa sektor at 'yung kaakibat na budgetary support ay maitama na rin. #RapplerTalk

Dar: 'Yung sabi ko na neglected...'yung number 1 neglect is 'yung budgetary support. #RapplerTalk

Dar on transition: The transition report is ready. We are ready any time, at his convenience, [to conduct] a briefing based on the report.

Dar says they will make the report available to the public soon. #RapplerTalk

Dar on Marcos' plan to reorganize National Food Authority (NFA) and the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI): FTI is under the Office of the President. We've been working for the transfer of FTI to the secretary's office para...itong food terminan system, FTI will be the core... (1/2)

Dar: ...That we've planned for the country. That's very critical na nandoon sa office ang FTI. Through an EO, Marcos can easily transfer that. #RapplerTalk

Dar on the NFA: The only mandate of NFA is buffer stocking. Pero 'yung buffer stocking nila, with that major responsibility, there is very little budget also being given – P7 billion pesos a year. #RapplerTalk

Dar: The rice buffer stock of India is 365 days, the same as China. We only have 7 days. This is one way for NFA to be strengthened.... Mayroong mas malaking exposure ang NFA and competing, in a positive way, with the traders. #RapplerTalk

Dar says there is record harvest in the past years. He recommends to Marcos that the same must be sustained.

He also says "power of science and technology" will help with the country's level of rice sufficiency. #RapplerTalk

Dar on calls opening up the market and the call of farmers to repeal the Rice Tariffication Law: I will not go to that extent not until this is proven by facts, as a result of midterm evaluation. Ganoon po ako mag-decide. We cannot just anticipate. #RapplerTalk

Dar on NIA being a "problem agency": If you want to have long-term sustainability for rice production, we need to fully develop the irrigation system good for 1.1 million hectares of rice lands. #RapplerTalk

Dar: Kung bibigay ko lang sa NIA 'yung construction, that will take more than 50 years to finish the 1.1 million hectares of rice lands to be irrigated. Ang ating panukala po ay yung Build, Build, Build sa agriculture. #RapplerTalk

Dar: Mga malalaking impraestruktura ay ibigay sa private sector at 'yung budget ng NIA, 'yun na lang 'yung pambayad yearly doon sa mga kontrata natin sa private sektor. #RapplerTalk

Dar says entering into contracts with the private sector will facilitate the construction of irrigation system, claims that the projects will take a much shorter time. #RapplerTalk

Dar: Kailangan pa rin ang NIA to maintain and sustain old irrigation projects.

He adds that the agency shall be responsible for conducting feasibility studies for future projects with private sector. #RapplerTalk

Dar says those with expertise should be appointed to agri agencies because the learning curve takes time.

"We have to make it possible na lahat ng ilalagay diyan, eksperto." #RapplerTalk

Dar on Masagana 99: Napag-aralan natin ano 'yung dapat ituwid o i-strengthen ng components ng Masagana 99. May panukala po tayo: Masagana 150 – ang target po natin for rice production ay 7.5 metric tons ang yeild kada ektarya. Present yield: nasa 90 cavans pa lang tayo, on ave.

Dar: Kung ano ang resulta ng pag-aaral na dapat ituwid, 'yun po ang itutuwid natin.

He says that credit program for farmers should be strengthened, high collection rate should be observed. #RapplerTalk

Dar on what makes Marcos qualified to head the agri agency: He was the provincial governor of Ilocos Norte. Binigyang priority niya ang sektor ng agriculture.... Ngayon ang Ilocos Norte, more than 200% rice sufficient sila. #RapplerTalk

Dar on emerging problems that need to be addressed: Tatlong broad areas: political will, top-most priority to the sector of agriculture is now given that billing... and budgetary significant support. #RapplerTalk

Watch the full episode of #RapplerTalk here: