Good morning everyone. Thank you very much for coming today to share our excitement about this search for The Outstanding Farmers of the Philippines.
We are happy that JCI has again undertaken this project that pays tribute to the Filipino farmers. Today our farmers are not just those into traditional planting. Today’s farmers include modern farmers – those in agri-business, fisher folk, animal raisers, co-ops, farm communities, scientists, the academe, LGUs, both urban and rural.
Our company, Universal Harvester, has been working closely with farmers all over the country for the past several years – meeting with them, consulting with them, educating them about modern farming and farming technology, and listening to their specific needs and aspirations.
Because of this, I believe that farmers and our agricultural sector still play the most crucial role in our survival as a people; and hold the key to our collective health, wealth and progress as a nation.
TOFARM is our way of recognizing the men and women who work for the sustainability of our food supply – a very inspiring endeavour for us at Universal Harvester – because we share JCI’s dream of reviving the glory of Philippine agriculture by promoting farming as a noble, lucrative profession, especially for the youth.
It makes me sad to hear that many of today’s generation are no longer interested to till the land of their fathers or to pursue their family livelihood in agriculture. Instead most want to pursue city jobs or become doctors, lawyers and engineers. But as our national hero Jose Rizal said, not all can be doctors. Some will have to stay and cultivate the land. Gaya ng sinabi ng ating pambansang bayani sa kanyang kapatid na si Lucia : “Hindi lahat tayo ay maaaring maging doctor. Kina-kailangang mayroong ilan na magbungkal ng lupa”.
That is why our mission and vision is to make agriculture attractive for the next generations and for the entire country once again.
We want the Philippines to excel in farming, to be competitive on the world stage, to produce more so that we can feed our own and not have to rely on importing crops and produce. After all, farming is the livelihood that comes naturally to Filipinos. We are an agricultural country and farming is what has made us thrive through the years. Achievements in this field will have a ripple effect on other sectors. Investments and scientific advancements are sure to follow.
As we launch TOFARM today, we ask for the help of our friends in media to help us spread the word about TOFARM so that we can inspire more people to excel in this old and noble profession. Eventually, ultimately, we hope to become self-sufficient in the one thing that our country lacks most today : food for all, sufficiency for a greater number.
With your help, our farmers will get to feel appreciated and motivated to learn more and to do more. And we sincerely hope that TOFARM will help to set them in this direction.
Again, thank you very much for coming. Mabuhay ang magsasakang Pilipino!
Resources:
Credit picture to the original owner:
http://pinoyweekly.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/philippine-rice-farmers.jpg
http://pinoyweekly.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/PW-pantabangan-magsasaka.jpg
http://hindiakokoreano.blogspot.com/2012/06/magpasalamat-tayo-sa-mga-magsasaka.html
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