One of the major economic foundations of the Philippines can be rooted from agricultural growth; these encompass not only cultivation of various vegetable, fruits, and other food crops through farming and land cultivation but also by tapping on the fishing industry that concentrates its energies on developing fish farms, fishing ports and other fishing related economic contributions. It is also good to note that both of these contribute to the growth of the Philippines GDP (Gross Domestic Product) by 13.8% and the workforce accounts to 32% of those employed in agriculture and fishery.

These days, the two sectors are being transformed into a modern, competitive, and dynamic vehicle for national development. The energies of the government will give more concentration into involving other projects and programs that will help people in the agricultural farming and fishery; it is good to note that the involvement of small people’s groups and local governement units within rural communities are also contributing to its growth. Also, the National Agriculture and Fishery Council which is an inter-sectoral and inter-agency body that helps structure these two economic contributors and establishes a nationwide network to formulate more sound policies and implement programs for them.

Functions of the NAF Council

Part and parcel of the NAF Council is to get nationwide feedback from both the agricultural and fishery sectore headed by the Secretary of Agriculture as the Head and Chairperson and council members from 15 government agencies, Chairperson of the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, one representative of the Agricultural and Fishery Councils, and eight People’s organization and non government organizations. A broad monitoring and coordination of modernizing the agricultural and fishing sectors is implemented so that it will go hand in hand with growth economically and nationally as well.

Major Activities of the NAF Council

The NAF Council meets every semester to be get updated and orient each members with its upcoming projects/programs and goals. One major facet of their activites is to know the issues of both public and private indivuduals and members involved in agricultural and fishery development whether it is a 5 hectare farm of a fishing port in a nearby province, this gives more praticipatory dialogue and interaction to know the state of their business efforts and identify issues as well. Other important activites involve having funding sources for joint projects in the Agri-Fishery programs that local government agencies provide and create sustainability in the long run.