Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday urged farmers and local government units (LGUs) to invest more in local livestock and crops to reduce the country's heavy reliance on food imports. The agency made the call as the country's agricultural trade deficit remained high at around USD11 billion, or more than PHP650 billion.
According to Philippines News Agency, Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations Roger Navarro emphasized that the figure underscores structural gaps in domestic supply, even as demand continues to grow alongside population and income gains. "The local market is enormous. That is exactly why importation is also large," he stated.
Navarro urged municipalities to spread investments across key commodities, including bananas, vegetables, coffee, coconut, livestock, poultry, and fisheries. He highlighted improvements in the management of the African swine fever (ASF), crediting the Bureau of Animal Industry's containment measures for a significant decline in the number of ASF-affected barangays in the country.
As of mid-January, the number of ASF-affected barangays was down to eight from the 98 affected barangays on Dec. 31, 2025. The government also has ongoing programs to boost the cattle population for both milk and meat products.
Moreover, Navarro identified bananas, vegetables, coffee, and coconut as good crops for investments. The DA has prioritized coffee, with new production areas developed in Cotabato and Agusan del Sur, in Mindanao.
Navarro stressed that supporting production alone will not substantially reduce import reliance if post-harvest facilities remain inadequate. He noted the need to invest more in drying facilities to prevent unnecessary losses, particularly during natural calamities.
To address these challenges, the DA plans to build about 300 drying facilities with warehouses and mega and modular cold storage facilities within the year. These initiatives aim to extend the shelf life of rice, corn, and vegetables, ensuring reasonable farmers' income and stable supply and market prices.
Meanwhile, fisheries and aquaculture continue to play a crucial role in the government's food security strategy. Policymakers view aquaculture expansion as a rapid method to narrow protein supply gaps.
