MANILA — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has ordered a faster and more disciplined overhaul of how government agencies support farmers and fisherfolk, urging agencies under the Department of Agriculture (DA) to prioritize stable demand, stronger market access, and business-level support for agri-fishery enterprises.

Speaking at the close of the inaugural meeting of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Council, Tiu Laurel said delays in government interventions are no longer acceptable.

“We must accelerate. Our enterprises deserve predictable, meaningful demand. We must deliver that,” he said, addressing representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Finance, the Cooperative Development Authority, and private sector members of the council.

At the core of his directive is the expansion of direct government procurement from accredited farmers’ and fisherfolk’s cooperatives and enterprises (FFCEs), which he said is critical to stabilizing incomes.

“Scaling up is what gives enterprises the stable demand they require,” Tiu Laurel said.

He also instructed DA agencies to intensify market linkages by proactively using updated producer supply maps to match farmers and fisherfolk with buyers in both the public and private sectors.

The DA chief underscored the revival of Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), saying it is being restored to its original mandate of buying directly from farmers with minimal margins while addressing logistics gaps.

“We’re bringing FTI back to its former glory,” he said.

Tiu Laurel further called for stronger data systems and uniform standards, directing improvements to the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Information System (FFEDIS) and the nationwide rollout of the Enterprise Capacity Development Plan (ECDP). These measures aim to eliminate fragmented support, ensure efficient use of government resources, and promote the sustainability of agri-fishery enterprises.

He also confirmed the rebuilding of field support services, saying the DA will restore its extension workforce beginning next year with the deployment of around 12,000 personnel. A bill sponsored by Senator Francis Pangilinan seeks to revive the Bureau of Agricultural Extension, which will help implement the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program under the Sagip Saka Act.

On financing, Tiu Laurel urged the Agricultural Credit Policy Council and state lenders such as Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines to streamline credit access for growing enterprises.

“There is money. We just have to get our act together,” he said.

He closed by calling for more frequent monitoring by the council—at least on a monthly basis—to ensure programs remain responsive to conditions on the ground.

“Our farmers and fisherfolk cannot wait,” Tiu Laurel said, urging agencies to act with urgency and discipline.