A high-ranking official from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) emphasized the importance of agriculture in the Philippine economy during a recent presentation.
Speaking at the 40th joint meeting of the Philippine-Japan Economic Cooperation (Philjec) and Japan-Philippines Economic Cooperation Committee (JPECC) in March, JICA Philippines Chief Representative Sakamoto Takema highlighted the significant role agriculture plays in the country’s economy.
Takema pointed out that nearly 25% of the Philippine labor force is engaged in agriculture, with employment in the sector previously outweighing other industries. However, there has been a decline in agricultural employment, reflecting a negative perception of agriculture among the younger generation.
He also noted that agricultural communities face higher poverty rates compared to the national average, indicating a need for modernization and development in Philippine agriculture.
Takema mentioned that the Philippines’ self-sufficiency rate in rice dropped from 100% in the late 1970s to 77% in 2022. Despite this, the average rice yield per hectare has improved over the years, surpassing other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
To address challenges in food production, Takema stressed the importance of reducing post-harvest losses, especially in rice where the Philippines has a higher loss rate compared to countries like Vietnam.
JICA has a long history of supporting Philippine agriculture through infrastructure development, technology transfer, and skills training for agricultural professionals. The agency continues to evolve its cooperation efforts to meet the current needs of the agriculture sector.
Takema highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in modernizing Philippine agriculture and called on private sector representatives to invest in the sector for commercial opportunities.
The annual bilateral conference between Japan and the Philippines aims to strengthen business relations and attract investments in key sectors like agriculture.Officials and executives from both countries participated in the conference to explore opportunities for collaboration and development.
