Jim Cano

Things to look out for as an individual, or characteristics of people who may be around you because these types of people tend to either suck your energy or pull you down.

This is how ChatGPT would destroy young men.

The sentiments of all stakeholders in the agricultural space, from the public sector, to private sector, academia, research, extension personnel, and even third sector (NGOs) are valid.

What is important is to dive deep and navigate the intricacies of the law and how we can ensure that the interdisciplinary nature of agriculture remains to be respected; while equally acknowledging and respecting the sentiments of those who have licenses but have been bypassed due to the lack of a legal basis to obligate the specific hiring of agriculturists in certain positions (especially in government).

For context, the only existing law upon which the Licensure Exam in Agriculture (LEA) rests on is the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) which was passed in the 90s. The times have changed, and many things have passed, and we have yet to professionalize agriculture as a profession. The law is good for all intents and purposes, yet the sentiments of all stakeholders need to be included and integrated now more than ever in the IRR to ensure the widest representation of agricultural development.

Kudos to all those involved in agricultural development from all walks of life. Now is not the time to build fences. It is the time to navigate and create a shared path towards a food-secure Philippines.

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Documenting back-breaking work of rice farmers in the middle of noon. Staying connected with them constantly and knowing their plight helps remind me why we do what we do at GOEden.

My conversation with one of them showed how hard the work is, how expensive the inputs can be, yet wet palay is bought at a very low price (PHP 13/kg). I asked if they do spend about PHP 60 to 75,000 per cropping per hectare just like some other farmers I've visited and what some research publications note. He said, they wouldn't bother spending that much. Just the bare necessities, because there's no incentive for them to produce if the buying price is very low.

Yet here they are, toiling away and contributing to the country's demand for rice. We have to find ways to address systemic issues that are a mix of policy, market dynamics, technological innovation, and socio-cultural factors.

This is just one crop among others that comprise a complex agrifood system we live in. And somewhere in the Philippines, while you're reading this, there's a farmer who is working (battling to surving) day in and day out.