NAFC ensures stronger linkage among AFCs, NSCs

NAFC convenes AFC chairpersons and coordinators and NSC chairpersons and members to harmonize plans and have a shared direction for 2013 and 2014.

A more effective partnership between and among the Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs) and the National Sectoral Committees (NSCs), the private-led consultative bodies of the National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC), is seen as the agency continues to strengthen the linkage and cooperation between and among its members.

To boost this effort, NAFC held a Joint Performance Review and Planning Workshop on February 27 and 28 at the Hotel Rembrandt in Tomas Morato Ave., Quezon City.

AFC chairpersons and coordinators from the 16 regions across the country and chairpersons and some members of the seven NSCs, joined by NAFC unit heads and staff led by Executive Director Ariel Cayanan, attended the two-day workshop.

AFC and NSC representatives tackled issues and concerns affecting their performance and their best practices in accomplishing their mandates, reviewed the targets of their 2014 Plan and Budget and identified their respective priority policy agenda for this year.

Issues and concerns that emerged during the workshop involved finance and delivery access, reportorial requirements, communication and information dissemination, capability enhancement, coordination, linkaging and feedback, transparency and accountability, recognition, advocacy and lobbying, monitoring and evaluation, and structure and systems.

Prior to the workshop, AFC, NSC and NAFC 2012 accomplishments were presented, as well as NAFC’s thrusts and directions for 2013 and the proposed 2014 Plan and Budget.

To set 2013 in motion, the AFC and NSC leaders also charted their common agenda for the year which include the restructuring of the agriculture marketing system, advocating for the allocation of 5% of the DA banner programs budget for the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, as an effort to help facilitate inclusive growth, and re-charging of aquifer and rainwater harvesting to address the depletion of groundwater in light of the climate change phenomenon.

Aside from firming up sectoral linkages with the AFCs, NAFC conducted the said workshop to further instill the planning culture between and among its consultative bodies especially as the Department of Agriculture (DA) has become persistent in generating more meaningful partnership with Civil Society Organizations and other stakeholders in budget planning and execution for greater transparency.

DA Undersecretary for Field Operations Joel Rudinas graced the last day of the workshop and expressed his gladness that the AFCs and NSCs continue to look for the best approach in addressing their issues and concerns.

NAFC, AFC and NSC leaders thresh out issues and concerns that affect their operations during the workshop.

He also looked forward to having local government units recognize all the AFCs and also be allowed to have membership in the local development councils.

He also hoped that more investments will pour in for agricultural infrastructure in the countryside.

In light of the climate change issues tackled in the joint agenda-setting, Undersecretary Rudinas disclosed that the Department is addressing the need to strengthen its database of planning tools to come out with more specific types of intervention and courses of action in order to create a climate-resilient agriculture and fishery sector.

By enhancing farmer’s participation in value chains, Undersecretary Rudinas also hoped that more flow of income would be possible in the rural areas.

“Maybe this time, the brains in the rural areas will stop going to the cities and become call center agents. Maybe this time, we get to retain the brainpower which will help drive our agriculture forward. Maybe this time, we will have the necessary opportunities for other investors and processors to start thinking of perhaps locating production areas that will help in screening our deficiencies,” he said.

In his closing message, Exec. Dir. Cayanan assured leaders and members of the AFCs and the NSCs that the agency will refine its plans to be responsive to their needs.

He also said that the agency will work more closely with them in putting their plans into action.