The city government of Davao is intensifying efforts to ensure food security, reinforcing agricultural support systems to maintain a stable supply of food amid rising fuel costs.
City Information Officer Harvey Lanticse underscored that safeguarding food production remains a top priority, with the City Agriculturist’s Office already mobilizing its resources and conducting a comprehensive inventory of the local agriculture sector. He noted that close coordination with farmers and cooperatives is ongoing to ensure continuous access to food despite external pressures.
To sustain and boost production, the city government is facilitating the provision of essential agricultural inputs, including seeds, fertilizers, and feeds for inland fisheries.
Beyond immediate measures, the local government is also advancing sustainable farming initiatives. These include composting and vermicast programs to produce more affordable fertilizers, as well as exploring regenerative agriculture practices aimed at improving soil health and natural pest control. Household gardening efforts are likewise being expanded to further strengthen community-level food resilience.
Lanticse emphasized that these combined strategies are part of a long-term plan to build a more resilient agricultural sector capable of withstanding challenges such as the fuel crisis.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture in the Davao Region continues to support farmers through logistics assistance and market interventions. Agnes Cecilia Roble said the agency provides free transport services to help farmers deliver produce directly to markets, reducing costs and improving price stability.
Farmers’ groups and cooperatives may avail of the service by submitting a request to the regional office. Alongside logistics support, the agency continues to monitor prices of key commodities and implement programs such as “Benteng Bigas” to make rice more affordable for households.
Roble reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to assisting local producers through sustained logistical and market support, ensuring that food remains accessible and affordable across the region.
