Farmers play an invaluable role in supporting the Philippine economy and its people. They not only spearhead the production and sale of local agricultural goods, but they also strengthen the country’s food security. These individuals dedicate all their time and energy to grow crops and supply countless citizens with nutritious food. Unfortunately, farmers aren’t often rewarded for their painstaking efforts. Due to factors like climate change, natural disasters, inflation, and the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, local farmers today are struggling to maintain a sustainable livelihood.
Many farmers experience crop damage caused by devastating storms and extreme droughts—weather conditions that have undoubtedly gotten worse due to changing climate patterns. Price drops on certain produce and predatory practices involving middlemen also mean that farmers often make far less than what they’re supposed to. For instance, some rice farmers make a little less than PHP 4,000 pesos a month for a 4,000-kilogram rice harvest. This is much lower than the PHP 7,337 food poverty threshold established by the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Additionally, COVID-19-related transportation bans and quarantine restrictions have also prevented farmers from selling their produce at local markets on a regular basis. In a desperate attempt to prevent their hard-earned crops from spoiling and going to waste, many farmers have had to sell their produce in bulk or even give them away for free.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to give these hard-working members of our society the help that they deserve. If you want to learn more, below are three simple ways to make a positive impact on the lives of Filipino farmers:
Buy Local Produce
Buying local produce is one of the best ways to support farmers, and it’s also good for a few other reasons. Firstly, buying Philippine produce can help you save money. This is especially true if you purchase fruits and vegetables that are in season, as they’re usually sold at very affordable prices.
Secondly, native produce tends to retain their taste and nutrients better because they don’t have to be imported from far-off locations. Many types of endemic fruits and vegetables also taste just as good as their imported counterparts. For example, there’s a flavorful Filipino spinach referred to as “alugbati,” which is rich in calcium and antioxidants.
While purchasing your local goods, do be sure to pay a fair price for them. Try to avoid haggling with vendors as much as possible. Cultivating any kind of produce takes a lot of labor, time, and money. This is especially true when it comes to growing rice in Philippines. Although the government and its allied research institutions continue to help rice farmers in terms of acquiring the necessary inputs and resources, many challenges in the sector remain. Since rice production, in many cases, continues to be capital intensive, farmers often have to borrow money, and this can come with high interest rates. It doesn’t help that many traders coerce them to sell their harvests at extremely low prices. Given these difficult circumstances, it’s only fair to ensure that farmers earn what they deserve.
If you’re looking for the best place to purchase Philippine produce, start with a farmer’s market or palengke. In it, you can find all kinds of locally grown fruits, vegetables, and rice varieties which are shipped straight from Filipino farms. If you prefer shopping remotely, there are also plenty of online stores that sell local produce. By purchasing agricultural goods from these establishments, you’re providing farmers with the financial support they need to improve their working conditions and continue their livelihoods.
Dine at Farm-to-Table Establishments
The farm-to-table movement has gained a lot of traction in recent years and for good reason. Restaurants that take part in this movement are dedicated to sourcing all their ingredients from local farms rather than foreign suppliers. This provides farmers with more business, and it also helps customers know exactly where their food is coming from. Since it doesn’t take too long to transport locally grown produce, farmers don’t need to use agricultural chemicals to preserve their quality. Hence, produce will not only be fresh when they arrive at these restaurants, but they will also contain little to no preservatives. By dining at farm-to-table establishments, you can enjoy a nutritious meal while paying it forward.
Support Agricultural Organizations and Initiatives
You can also help farmers by volunteering or donating to agricultural organizations and initiatives. There are many groups that are working to provide farmers with the resources and financial support needed to improve their livelihoods. One such organization is PAKISAMA (Pambansang Kilusan Ng Mga Samahang Magsasaka), which is dedicated to upscaling farm business models around the Philippines, as well as advocating for laws on sustainable agriculture and agrarian reform.
Another organization is Rural Rising Philippines, which provides farmers with an online platform to market their harvests. More specifically, these are farmers who are struggling to secure buyers and need to sell their excess produce. If you want to reach out further, it’s easy to find plenty of amazing organizations with a simple online search.
Farmers work tirelessly to put food on the tables of each Filipino, so it’s important for citizens to do their part in helping these agricultural heroes. By buying local produce, eating in farm-to-table establishments, and supporting farming organizations, you can help one of the country’s most vulnerable yet essential sectors thrive for years to come.
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