Ruben L. Villareal, Evelyn Mae Tecson-Mendoza, Victor B. Ella, Arnold R. Elapano, Pompe S. Sta. Cruz, Rodrigo B. Badayos, Cezar P. Mamaril, and Emiliana N. Bernardo
https://doi.org/10.57043/transnastphl.2011.3763
Abstract
The Philippines faces the dauntless task of producing more and more food from less and less arable land and irrigation water. Like most of the rest of the developing world, the burgeoning population in the Philippines results in low per capita availability of arable land and fresh water for irrigation. Moreover, Philippine agriculture is faced with multifaceted challenges such as low land and labor productivity, high production cost, post production and distribution losses, high environmental and market risks to producers, low private sector interest in agriculture and degradation of ecological services. All of these contribute to low income and poverty of farmers, high food costs to consumers, deterioration of environment, and lack of competitiveness of Philippine agricultural products in the world market. Indeed, challenges to Philippine agriculture are complex and thus require multidisciplinary, innovative strategies. All possible means to increase agricultural productivity in a sustainable manner should be utilized. This paper analyzed some key factors and issues to further intensify agriculture for productivity, sustainability and competitiveness. Specifically, we looked into land use and administration, raising cropping index, varietal improvement and agricultural biotechnology, water use efficiency, integrated nutrient management, integrated pest management and labor productivity and mechanization.