By Kenneth Marcos 
As government officials and private leaders sat around the table, one message rang clear: Filipino farmers and fishers cannot afford delays anymore. The room fell quiet as Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr. spoke firmly, calling on agencies to move faster and deliver real results on the ground.
The statement came at the close of the inaugural meeting of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Council, held recently in the Philippines. The council brings together key government agencies and private sector representatives to strengthen farm and fishery enterprises and connect them to stable markets.
“We must speed things up,” Laurel said, stressing that delays are unacceptable at a time when farmers and fishers are struggling with rising costs, climate risks, and uncertain income. He reminded officials that enterprise development should not stay on paper but must translate into dependable businesses and meaningful demand for local products.
The council includes representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Finance, and the Cooperative Development Authority, alongside four private sector members. Their task is to align policies, funding, and programs so farmers and fishers can grow from producers into entrepreneurs.
According to Laurel, farmers’ and fishers’ enterprises deserve reliability and long-term support. He said government must help ensure that products reach markets where demand is steady and prices are fair. “Our people deserve businesses they can depend on,” he added, urging agencies to act with urgency and coordination.
The creation of the council is part of the broader push to modernize Philippine agriculture and fisheries. Many small producers still sell raw goods at low prices, leaving them vulnerable to middlemen and market swings. By supporting enterprises such as cooperatives, processing facilities, and value-adding activities, the government hopes to raise incomes and create more jobs in rural areas.
Data from the agriculture sector show why the issue is urgent. Millions of Filipinos rely on farming and fishing for their livelihood, yet poverty remains high in rural communities. Limited access to capital, technology, and markets continues to hold back growth. Officials believe that stronger enterprise development can help close these gaps.
During the meeting, Laurel emphasized that cooperation among agencies is critical. Trade support, financing, local government participation, and cooperative development must move together. Without clear timelines and shared accountability, he warned, programs risk stalling and losing impact.
Private sector representatives echoed the need for speed and clarity, noting that investors and buyers need predictable systems before committing resources. They said that when farmers and fishers are organized and supported, they can meet quality standards and supply demands both locally and internationally.
The agriculture chief also linked the council’s work to the national goal of building a more food-secure and resilient Philippines. Strong rural enterprises, he said, are essential to ensuring stable food supply while improving the lives of those who produce it.
As the meeting ended, Laurel’s message remained firm: action must follow words. For farmers and fishers facing daily challenges, progress cannot wait.
The coming months will test whether the new council can deliver faster coordination and concrete outcomes. For millions in the countryside, the hope is simple—that promises turn into opportunities, and that growth finally reaches the fields and the seas.
Pwersa Balita – Your Trusted Source in Agri News