The Department of Agriculture (DA) will operationalize in January next year the consultative council composed of representatives of the DA, farmers, and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on the sidelines of the annual membership meeting of the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc. that having a consultative council would help address pressing issues and concerns across all sectors of agriculture.

“My order yesterday was that by Jan. 15, the monthly meetings should start. The major task of the council is to discuss every single major crop every month," he said in Filipino.

The monthly consultation is also expected to help the DA advance policy reforms through streamlined decision-making and feedback gathering, and eventually help modernize agriculture, boost local production, and ensure food accessibility.

“The more we talk, the more ideas come out on how to make things better. A regular monthly schedule would be a forum to air questions, share ideas, address issues, and make decisions,” Tiu Laurel said.

The council will be consisted of 10 representatives of the DA, PCAFI, Federation of Free Farmers, processors, exporters, and farmers.