The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) warned of a worsening agricultural and food crisis as the country braces for the effects of El Niño, saying the government must strengthen local food production and prepare more comprehensively for climate-related disasters.
In an exclusive interview on DZRH Stories: Pinoy Documentaries, KMP Chairperson Danilo Ramos said Filipino farmers are already facing a severe crisis in the agricultural sector, with El Niño adding pressure to an already vulnerable food system.
Ramos said El Niño is not a new phenomenon in the Philippines, recalling that during the first half of 2024, 80 of the country's 82 provinces were affected by the weather phenomenon.
“Matindi pong problema at krisis ang kinakaharap ng ating magsasaka ng agrikultura ng buong bansa. Krisis sa pagkain,” Ramos said.
He expressed concern that the government’s response remains focused on addressing the effects of disasters after they occur, rather than implementing comprehensive preparations and strengthening agricultural production before crises worsen.
According to Ramos, the government should prioritize local food production instead of relying heavily on agricultural imports. He cited the government’s plan to import five million metric tons of rice as an example of what he described as continued dependence on imported food products.
Ramos also pointed to gaps in irrigation, saying only around 52% of rice farmers nationwide have access to irrigation.
He said government interventions have included cloud seeding and irrigation projects but stressed that these measures should be accompanied by broader programs that directly support farmers and increase domestic agricultural capacity.
“Ang kailangan po ay unang-una po ay paano yung komprehensibong paghandaan,” Ramos said, criticizing what he described as a reactive approach to agricultural disasters.
The KMP chairperson also raised the need for stronger assistance for farmers affected by successive calamities. He reiterated the group’s calls for ₱50,000 worth of production inputs and seeds for farmers, as well as ₱80,000 in compensation for farmers affected by a series of disasters.
Ramos further criticized the continued reliance on imported agricultural products, arguing that strengthening domestic production should be a key part of the government’s response to the country's food security concerns.
“Nananatili na ang patakaran ng gobyerno ay umasa sa mga imported na produkto agrikultural sa halip po na palakasin ang local na produksyon ng pagkain,” he said.
Ramos urged authorities to adopt a more comprehensive preparedness strategy for El Niño and other climate-related threats, particularly as farmers continue to face risks to their livelihoods and the country’s food supply.
Watch the full exclusive interview here:
