By Kenneth Marcos 
Under the bright lights of a Manila business forum, the message from the agriculture chief was direct and hard to ignore. Despite years of government spending, many Filipino farmers remain poor, food supply gaps keep coming back, and productivity across the countryside is still uneven.
Speaking this week at the Big Bold Reforms forum in Manila, Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr. said long-standing problems in the farm sector continue to hurt both farmers and consumers. The forum was organized by the Department of Finance and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and gathered leaders from government and business to discuss key economic reforms.
Laurel said rural poverty remains high, farm productivity varies widely from one area to another, and sudden food shortages still push prices up in markets. These issues, he noted, have persisted despite years of public spending and support programs.
“Even with continuous use of government funds, the problems have not been fixed,” Laurel told the audience. He said many farmers still earn too little, while consumers continue to feel the impact of unstable food supply.
His remarks reflect a reality familiar to many Filipino families. In rural areas, farming households often struggle with low income, rising costs of inputs such as fuel and fertilizer, and limited access to modern technology. In cities, shoppers regularly face higher prices for rice, vegetables, fish, and meat whenever supply tightens due to weather, logistics problems, or disease outbreaks.
According to government data, agriculture employs around a quarter of the country’s workforce but contributes less than a tenth of total economic output. This gap shows why many farmers remain poor even though they work long hours. Climate change has also made farming more difficult, with stronger typhoons, floods, and droughts damaging crops and disrupting harvests.
Laurel stressed that uneven productivity is a major concern. Some farms use modern methods and produce more, while many small farmers still rely on traditional practices and lack access to irrigation, storage, and affordable credit. This imbalance weakens overall food supply and makes the country more vulnerable to shortages.
He also pointed to recurring food supply shocks, where shortages suddenly appear and prices spike. These shocks affect consumers most, especially low-income families who spend a large part of their budget on food. When prices rise, many households are forced to cut back on nutrition or other basic needs.
The agriculture secretary said the Department of Agriculture is now reworking its “playbook” to address these deep-rooted problems. The goal is to improve productivity, raise farmer incomes, and make food supply more stable and predictable. This includes better planning, stronger coordination with other agencies, and more focused use of public funds.
Laurel’s comments come as the government pushes broader economic reforms under the current administration. Officials have said that fixing agriculture is key to controlling inflation, reducing poverty, and ensuring long-term growth. Without a stronger farm sector, experts warn that food prices will remain volatile and rural communities will be left behind.
As discussions from the Big Bold Reforms forum continue, Laurel’s message serves as a reminder that real change in agriculture will require more than spending alone. It will need clear direction, sustained reforms, and support that truly reaches farmers on the ground.
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