To ensure production of adequate, accessible and affordable food, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is requesting for a P32-billion supplemental budget to implement a food security program, dubbed as "Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Kontra sa COVID-19."

We wish to assure the public that the Department of Agriculture is exerting all efforts to help provide adequate, accessible and affordable food for every Filipino family during this difficult time.

For rice, our major staple, we have enough supply to tide us over towards the lean months. In particular, by the end of the first semester, our rice inventory is good for 67 days.

We will pursue the same level of adequacy for the other major agricultural and fishery commodities.

The KADIWA on Wheels rolls out today, March 26 t the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), with volumes of fresh vegetables and other agri-products to provide residents in Quezon City access to fresh farm produce at a low price.

According to Agriculture Secretary William Dar, commodities sold at the KADIWA stalls are cheaper by 20 percent than those at the market.

Filipino families are reaping the initial benefits of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) as more rice grades become available and affordable to different segments of the society.

“The RTL has not only significantly reduced rice prices in retail markets, but also provided consumers several types or grades of rice to choose from,” said Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar. “

The rice market segmentation is a very important outcome of the RTL with regards to rice prices. It only means that consumers have a choice depending on their preference and what they can afford,” he said.

The Department of Agriculture through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC) is offering an initial P2 billion that young students and entrepreneurs can borrow to start any agriculture, fishery or agribusiness venture.

"This is our way to attract the younger generation of Filipinos to be key players in attaining our vision of a food-secure Philippines with prosperous farmers and fishers," said Agriculture Secretary William Dar.

DILIMAN, Quezon City—To improve its programs, activities, and projects for fiscal year (FY) 2021, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) officials and planning officers gathered for a week-long evaluation and target-setting activity.

ATI Director Alfredo Aton led the undertaking and stressed that all of the Institute’s initiatives for 2021 should be consistently aligned with Agriculture Secretary William Dar’s “Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita” vision. To attain this, Aton emphasized the need to practice the ease of doing business.