MALATE, Manila—Officials from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached bureaus and agencies, heads of provincial and municipal government units, the academe, and stakeholders from the private sector convened for the 2019 National Food Security Summit.

The summit served as an avenue for discussions on the current trends, issues, and challenges in the agriculture sector. These include the effects of the Rice Tariffication Law, Agri-Fishery Clustering and Consolidation, Province-led Agriculture and Fishery Extension Systems (PAFES), and Crop Diversification, among others.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar also presented the "New Thinking in Philippine Agriculture" which he said is the new vision of the Department. Some key officials from DA and local government units also shared their strategies and experiences in implementing programs and services that may be replicated by others.

Senate Chairperson for Agriculture and Food Cynthia Villar and her House of Representatives counterpart Wilfrido Mark Enverga also graced the event. They were joined by members of the League of Provinces of the Philippines led by Governor Presbitero Velasco, Jr. of Marinduque.

Meanwhile, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Director Alfredo Aton led the proceedings on the parallel workshop on PAFES with staff from the Institute's Policy and Accreditation Division. Meanwhile, Officer-in-Charge Assistant Director Rosanna Mula presented the Food Security Program Incentive Scheme during the plenary session.

The participants of the activity expressed their support and commitment to be active partners of the Department in its mission to make food accessible and affordable for every Filipino, and uplift the lives of farmers and fishers. This is during a "Covenant of Partnership" which they pledged and signed during the program.

The 2019 National Food Security Summit, with the theme "Sama-sama tungo sa Masaganang ANI at Mataas na KITA," was held in the LANDBANK Plaza, Malate, Manila last October 29-30.