Now that the midterm elections are over, we are even more aware of the country’s basic problems.
The focus must first be on the majority of our population, and on making development and economic growth inclusive. Farmers make up 70 percent of the rural poor, but the government is focused on infrastructure such as railways, airports, roads and bridges that have very minimal contribution to agriculture development. The rice tariffication program was an attempt to reduce prices of rice for consumers, but its negative effect on farmers’ income was not adequately addressed. Let us hope our farmers will not commit suicide like the farmers in India.
We have poor irrigation systems that compound the problem for our farmers during the dry season. The government can construct impounding centers to store water during the rainy season; this will ensure adequate supply for irrigation and drinking even during the dry season. Let the engineers do their job free from the intrusion of influence-peddlers and corrupt politicians.
Let us hope that the newly elected “public servants” will do what is right this time.
WILFREDO LUPOS, walupos@gmail.com