AGRICULTUREGEMORA, SOLOCASA, PEDROSO

Agriculturethe science, art, or practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock and in varying degrees the preparation and marketing of the resulting products. (Merriam-Webster)

The Latin root ager, or "field," pluscultura, "cultivation." Cultivating a piece of land, or planting and growing food plants on it, Raising animals for meat or milk also falls under the category ofagriculture (Vocabulary.com)

The science or practice offarming, includingcultivationof the soil for thegrowingof crops and therearingof animals to provide food,wool, and other products. (Oxford)

SCOPEThe three major sectors in Philippine agricultureAgricultural

Forestry

fishery

Agricultural sectorCrop ProductionLivestockPoultryForestry sectorProduction of log, lumber, plywood and veneer sheets Fishery sectorAquacultureCommercial fisheryMunicipal fishery

The first humans had to compete for food against all kinds and sizes of predators Survival of the FittestHunting and fishing for food wherever they could be found in abundance forced the Early Man to lead a nomadic life.Much later, our ancestors learned to domesticate animals. They discovered that planting crops assured him of steady food supply. Man took to agriculture as a means to feeding himself and his family. The goal was purely self-preservation and self-sufficiency. Established permanent villages and agriculture-based civilizations were formed.

HISTORY

18th centuryColonies export tobacco, rice, indigo, grain, and meat productsMechanical farm implements were invented like Joseph Boyces reaper (1799) and Jethro Tulls horse-drawn drill (1701)

First agricultural society was founded (1793)Cash crops as tea, coffee, bananas, sugar, and rubber were introduced and cultivated on a large scale.Improved transportation as canals, steamboats, and railroads allowed commercial crops to be shipped more easily and quickly to market.

REAPERHorse-drawn drill

19th centuryImprovement of food processing techniques.Ranchers began to feed cattle grainCase steam engine (1886) replaced horses in pulling plows.

20th century

Invention of gasoline tractor

Clarence Birdseye perfected a method for freezing foods.Farmers join cooperative that controlled the marketing of their commodities resulting in greater profits.1930 more powerful tractors were built and harvesters for root and vegetable crops were invented.1960s suppliers and food distributors joined in a network known as Agribusiness.High powered machinery feed fertilizers and pesticides began to be used, and poultry was raised in completely controlled environments.

SIGNIFICANCE OF AGRICULTURESource of LivelihoodContribution to National revenueSignificance to the International TradeSource of Raw MaterialForeign Exchange ResourcesGreat Employment OpportunitiesFood Security

Economic problems of AgricultureFinancingProduction MarketingIndustrializationLand TenuresTaxation and SubsidiesEconomic Infrastructures

Government Programs and Solutions

Agrarian Reform

-provide technical support and marketing assistance to potential agrarian reform beneficiaries

-provide a policy framework through the agricultural credit policy council to ensure that the credit is available to beneficiaries

-strengthen the Department of Agricultures operational network for delivery of services to agrarian reform beneficiaries, involving non-government organizations and agricultural state colleges and universities

-link up with the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on delivery of support services

-coordinate with the National Economic and Development Authority and Department of finance to obtain foreign funding.

Resource Conservation

-promote programs that ensure ecological security as the foundation for food and income security. Said programs include the minimization of soil erosion and nutrient depletion, encouragement of small water impounding projects, establishment of artificial reefs and fish sanctuaries, and reforestation of denuded watersheds

-enforce regulations against illegal fishing, over exploitation of marine resources, and pollution of inland and marine waters

-continue providing plant and animal quarantine services in all ports of entry and exit

Agrikulturang Pilipino or Agri-Pinoy

Four Guiding PrinciplesFood security and self-sufficiencySustainable agriculture and fisheriesNatural resource managementLocal development

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