Being a Filipino farmer has its own ups and downs. We could simply say, it has its good, bad, and ugly sides.
It would really help us understand this if we get ourselves acquainted with the current situation of Philippine agriculture.
The Philippines is an agricultural country
The Philippines is first and foremost an agricultural country. With a total land area of 30 million hectares, 7.3 million hectares are dedicated to farming. This accounts for almost a quarter of the total land area of the Philippines.
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Though we are experiencing rapid industrial growth, many Filipinos are still engaged in agriculture. We are an agricultural country, a nation of farmers.
I believe you would agree that before there were doctors, nurses, and engineers, there were farmers. In fact, our great-great lolos and lolas may have no other choice but to be farmers. From early childhood, they were groomed to be farmers not because they show potential and love to farm, but out of necessity. Our ancestors were tilling the lands, harvesting the bounty from rivers and seas to survive. Being a farmer may be the only career choice our ancestors had.
The situation may be different now. We now have many teachers, nurses, doctors, and people working in other industries. But we are still a long way from being an industrialized nation.
The importance of agriculture in the Philippines
The most important contribution of agriculture to our nation is and should be food security (or any nation for that matter).
Indeed, we are farming to provide food for our families and to our community. But are we producing sufficient food for our nation? Surely, the answer is NO.
Just take a look at our staple crop- rice. Despite being an agricultural country and an abundance of rice farming communities, we are still unable to supply and meet our nation's demand for rice.
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Every year, our Department of Agriculture announces that we have a sufficient buffer of rice to meet demands. Guess where those tons of rice are coming from? From our neighboring Asian countries.
The Philippines has developed an untenable dependence on imported rice to ensure sufficient national stocks- that is according to FAO.
Agriculture is considered the backbone of the Philippine economy
Agriculture is considered the backbone of the Philippine economy. Without agriculture, the Philippine economy would have no vigor and strength to stand on its own. Let's hear it from our former president himself.
It is, after all, considered as the backbone of the economy. It forms the basis for food and nutrition security and provides raw materials for industrialization. These are important factors that allow progress to take place in society.
Now that we have a basic understanding of our Philippine agriculture scenario, we can go to the good, the bad, and the ugly side of being the center of Philippine agriculture- the farmer.
The Good side of being a Filipino farmer
1. You are food sufficient
Many would consider farmers in the Philippines are at the lower end of the social strata. The lower class, the marginalized, the poor. Well it is true. However, there is one thing that most of us really ignore.
Being a Filipino farmer puts you in a more advantageous position than other professions. Though it may be very simple, a farmer can produce his own food. When push comes to shove, like in a pandemic situation and food shortages are inevitable, farmers can sustain themselves.
Being an accomplished farmer, you are the embodiment of food security itself. What else is better than that?
2. Job satisfaction
Farming brings happiness and way less stressful life. It may sound like a cliche. But deriving from my own experience, it is indeed true.
Harvesting the fruit of your own labor- both literally and figuratively. What could be more satisfying than that?
3. Health benefits
By producing your own food, you have complete control over the farming practices you're going to adapt. You can either go the conventional way of farming- using machines and agrochemicals or go the other way- sustainable, regenerative, and organic. Choosing the latter could result in a healthy life.
This is one of the many reasons why there are still people choosing to work the land and produce their own food. Yes, that includes me.
4. Better steward of the environment
Farming doesn't just involve tilling the land and sowing seeds. With the advent of modern agriculture, scientific studies, and conscientious farming, many farmers choose to practice sustainable, organic, and regenerative farming principles.
As a Filipino farmer, one can practice the same and become part of a movement for the greater good. By doing so, you are not just producing food but you are ensuring that the next generation would also have the ability to produce their own. Isn't it noble?
The Bad
1. Many are born into a family of farmers but few choose to stay as farmers
The interest in farming is waning.
The decrease in our lands dedicated to agriculture has a clear and profound effect on the agricultural sector. Obviously, the less farm area we have, food production plunges. Bringing the national issue of food security in dire straits.
With the dwindling agricultural land area and very little opportunity to earn a living, farmers are forced to look for a better source of income. What is easiest for them to do? Where would they go? Look for a job in the Metro.
Farming is no longer a cherished way of life. It is hard, and most of the time, no longer practical to continue doing. Many of us are born into a family of farmers. In fact, we'd become farmers in one way or another. It is true as well, many chose to leave farming behind.
2. Farmers are belittled
The common stereotype is- farmers are uneducated. "Grade 1 lang ang inabot." Most of us consider farmers to be less intelligent.
I think you would agree that at one point in your life, you may have witnessed this stereotype happening right in front of you.
I'm no exemption. It was just a simple interaction in a bank. As customers are being greeted upon entry- I happen to see the difference.
Well dressed people are greeted with an all smile-
"Welcome, good morning ma'am/sir!"
Then a guy walks in with an obvious look of a farmer and greeted with-
"Ano po iyun sir?"
Asking as if the man is lost and entering the wrong place.
The Ugly
1. Being a farmer brings meager income
How much does a Filipino farmer earn?
Based on PSA data, an ordinary farm worker earns more or less 330.00 PHP a day. That is less than 8,000.00 PHP a month.
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This is true to those who work the land but don't actually own it. Tenants and farm workers alike may be just like an ordinary worker- albeit not inside an air conditioned work area.
You may see a lot of farming success stories in the news or social media. But the majority of them are persons who have a knack for entrepreneurship and own the land or have the capacity to rent one. Farm-workers (who are many), don't stand much chance. Literally, they don't harvest the fruits of their labor.
So these people are the common folks we see nowadays looking for better opportunities in the Metro. Failing to get a good income as a farmer in the provinces, they end up living in slums in our urban areas looking for greener pastures (no pun intended). Yes, looking for better-paying jobs than farming.
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2. Lack of support
Speaking from experience, I came from a family of farmers. We've been such as far as we can remember. With little to no government-funded irrigation, no free "binhi", no free technical assistance, no nothing, we are barely managing. We continue to farm our land on our own.
But not all farmers do. Some had no other choice but to "sangla" their land in order to continue farming. Should bad things happen (which are common), they'd be forced to sell their very source of living.
We've been on our own for so long, it would really be appreciated if we can get a little nudge, a helping hand.
To be fair, I am seeing a lot of improvements from our government and local communities when it comes to agriculture. The government is slowly developing programs to address the needs of the agriculture sector.
Local communities are more supportive of farmers as well due to some events like food price increases, shortages, and the recent one- global pandemic.
Conclusion
Philippine agriculture is indeed the backbone of our economy. As a nation, we are transitioning to an industrialized society.
Nevertheless, we should not forget the importance of agriculture and the people behind it- the farmers.
We should be aware that Filipino farmers deserve the same respect and economic opportunity as everyone does. There is no other better time to treat our farmers with respect and dignity, give them the opportunity and needed support, than right now.
Right now, we should start seeing the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of being a Filipino farmer and do something about it. Do something to change it for the better.
Act and let's help our Filipino farmers show just one side- the BEST SIDE.
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