President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday lauded the country’s outstanding farmers and fishers, calling them the “lifeblood of the nation” while unveiling initiatives aimed at modernizing agriculture and attracting a new generation of young Filipino agri-entrepreneurs.
Speaking at the presentation of the 50th Gawad Saka National awardees, Mr. Marcos expressed deep gratitude for their sacrifices and underscored their central role in feeding the nation.
“We know that the life of a fisherman and farmer is not easy,” the president said. “You are the hope of Philippine agriculture,” he added.
To boost productivity and support local food production, the president introduced the government’s deployment of 16 mobile soil laboratories, one for each region, which will analyze soil conditions and recommend region-specific interventions such as proper fertilizer use and pest control.
“This is just Phase 1,” President Marcos said, noting that the administration also plans to construct permanent soil testing centers across the country, citing one pilot facility developed with Australian partners in Surigao.
The president reaffirmed his administration’s push to reduce the country’s dependence on imported rice, stating, “the day will come when we no longer rely heavily on importation.”
Addressing a young awardee’s question about making farming attractive to the youth, the president acknowledged that aging farmers pose a long-term challenge, with many younger Filipinos opting for more comfortable urban jobs.
“The average age of our farmers is too high,” he said.
“That’s why we need to bring in new technologies and show our youth that farming can be a sustainable, rewarding profession,” the president added.
He emphasized the potential for innovation-driven farming—especially with young Filipinos adept in high-tech and intensive agriculture—to transform the sector.
“When young people see that there is a result from sacrifice, they will say, ‘it’s worth it,'” Mr. Marcos said.
He also noted that past administrations had neglected long-term agricultural planning, but vowed to reverse the trend.
