Senator Win Gatchalian urged the government to invest in agriculture modernization and irrigation development to improve the country’s food security amid steady population growth.

“Unless the government embarks on a comprehensive modernization program, it would be difficult for the country to achieve food security, especially that of rice,” Gatchalian said.

He emphasized that a steady increase in the country’s population makes it imperative to aim for increased productivity through the modernization of the farm sector, including the use of modern farm implements.

Gatchalian pointed out that there has to be a whole-of-government approach, with local government units playing a major role to effectively drive modernization, particularly in areas where financial support and cooperation are wanting. 

“In the case of rice, which is the Philippines’ main staple food, the country needs to produce at least 98% of its rice requirement,” said Gatchalian.

“On the other hand, our population has increasingly swelled in comparison to rice production. As our population grows, so does our need for rice, and we should address that. However, currently, we can’t catch up because our population is growing faster than our rice production,” he added.  

The country’s population was estimated to have reached 112 million in 2023, based on the projected population growth rate using the 2020 census result, according to the Commission on Population and Development.

“Hindi natin matatakasan ang pangangailangan na gawing moderno ang pangkalahatang sektor ng agrikultura upang matugunan ang suplay ng pagkain kasunod ng lumolobo nating populasyon. Dahil dito, mapapaunlad din natin ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka,” he ended.