The Philippines has many advantages in terms of its geographical location. As an archipelago and an agricultural country, there should be almost no problems in farming or fishing because of its abundant resources. However, Filipino farmers, who work at the very backbone of our economy, still suffer below the poverty line and are being deprived of their rights. If this will continue, should the country just transition to being an industrialized one for economic development?
Short answer, no.
OBSERVATION
The main difference between an agrarian and industrial economy is that they are rural and urban-based, respectively. The agrarian economy focuses on the production and enhancement of crops to boost productivity and alleviate poverty (especially among farmers). The industrial economy, on the other hand, utilizes machinery and technology for mass production at much cheaper rates. With this, we can say that the former is more labor-intensive than the latter because it uses manual labor from the farmers. Some inevitable factors that should be considered by the sector are climate/seasonal changes, land, and soil, all of which affect the quality of the harvest. Even so, the latter also has its disadvantages--the immediate and most apparent being the pollution it emits to the environment as well as the unhealthy conditions it brings to us.
Another problem that the farmers experience firsthand is oppression. Many farmers in the Philippines remain landless despite the government’s (failed) efforts to solve this problem. Landlord resistance, government officials’ pursuit of personal interests, land conversion, and poor implementation of agrarian reform laws are just some of the reasons that hinder a farmer's dream of a decent life. To add insult to the injury, they are being threatened or killed if they failed to pay rent or if they stood up against people superior to them. Are these reasons still not enough to call for a concrete and genuine solution?
INSIGHTS
We are rich in agricultural resources but it is not felt by the majority because of extreme economic inequality. Most farmers solely rely on the income they will gain for their hard labor--income that is still not enough to sustain themselves even with the most basic necessities. Prioritizing the agrarian sector will benefit more people not only in uplifting their economic status but also in ensuring food security for everyone. More and more households, whether urban or rural, will gain access to healthy food and can also eradicate poverty in the long run.
I believe that if we are to transition to an industrial society, inflation will be much more prevalent, assuming that agriculture will not be prioritized anymore because our attention will go to the urbanization of the country. Also, if an industrial society will mean prosperity for the middle and upper class, those who belong in the lower class are more likely to be excluded from this type of economic development and will experience greater poverty. This makes the option of improving the agrarian economy better, more feasible, and more inclusive as it will benefit literally every Filipino people--me, you, and everyone else.
Basing on prior knowledge, the country is globally known as the top exporter of products such as bananas and coconut oil. We are acknowledged worldwide as an agricultural country with rich resources. Imagining this situation where the country will be an industrialized one, we need not look far because it is already happening. With the number of land conversions (meaning, farmlands that will be converted as golf courses, resorts, or other modern infrastructures), farmers and their families residing on that piece of land will be dismissed and they will be left with nothing. Their children will then decide to choose a different profession after witnessing how hard it is to be a farmer, and other people do not consider farming as their chosen industry as well. In fact, I do not know anyone whose ambition is to be a farmer. What's worse is I know a lot of people who deem farmers and agricultural workers as low-skilled and uneducated. Ironically, they say these things while they eat food on their plates.
LEARNING
The Philippine presidential line did many attempts to solve this. While some of them made significant contributions, I cannot say that they deserve such recognition from the people. After all, there are still thousands of farmers that solely live on false hopes that they will have their own land. Meanwhile, others are permanently silenced if they go against the ruling class, receiving threats, or worse, killed. Like any other issues in the country, the government should be largely held accountable for solving this perpetuating problem, but saying this feels like I am merely talking to a brick wall. No matter how much we amplify our voices and be one with the plight of the farmers, people in positions of power will refuse to implement agrarian reform laws because they themselves are landowners that possess large hectares of property. This just proves how the country’s system is anti-poor and continues to favor those with power.
Without the proper implementation of strategies concerning agrarian reforms, the Philippines cannot progress as an industrialized country, too (if ever we became one). Farmers should be heard and be encouraged to actively take part in discussing solutions because apparently, they are the ones who should benefit the most. But don't get me wrong, agriculture and urban industry are not mutually exclusive; we can attain industrialization if we first develop agriculturally. With this, not only farmers will benefit but also our resources. But for now, I firmly believe that having a competent government that cares for its people should be much more taken care of for the future of our economy.
So no, agricultural issues are not only an economic problem; it is also a social and a political one. We all can make a difference by not letting ourselves, together with our farmers, be silenced. It is never a good time to turn a blind eye to these issues. Seek for change and justice!
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