President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has greenlighted the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) program aimed at aiding the agriculture sector through the production and use of locally-made machineries.

In a sectoral meeting in Malacañang on Wednesday, Marcos expressed confidence on the DOST’s “Local Manufacturing Capabilities to Support Agri-Mechanization” program.

“For one thing, it’s (locally-produced machineries) cheaper. For sure, it’s always cheaper than the imported. We get to that point where it is always cheaper than the imported. We now have to scale it,” Marcos said during the meeting, as quoted in a Presidential Communications Office (PCO) news release.

The President said some of the locally-produced machineries are already being distributed to farmers during the previous distribution of government support and services.

“Some of these things I see it already, ‘yung pinamimigay natin. ‘Yung mga iba (those that we are distributing. The others) – especially the towed machines that we use for harvesting, for tilling, nakikita na natin ang iba (we are already seeing them),” Marcos said.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said the government’s shift from importation to local production of local machineries would not only benefit the agricultural sector but also strengthen the manufacturing industry.

“Mechanization is a key driver for improving efficiency and reducing cost in farming. The DA recognizes the need for mechanization. It has been providing farm implements to farmers and cooperatives, particularly through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund,” Solidum said.

“With our limited resources and capabilities, we need to strengthen the agri-machineries sector. Supporting homegrown agri-machinery can lead to more efficient farming practices, increase productivity and, of course, have more employment for our people,” he added.

Meanwhile, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. expressed support to the DOST’s program, noting of the importance to focus on machineries needed by local farmers and ensure they meet quality standards.

This prompted the President to direct the DOST, DA and other research institutes to ensure the research and development aspects of the agri-mechanization drive even as he called for the smooth implementation of the program. (PNA)