CALOOCAN CITY, May 27 (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday named Filipino-Australian actor and singer-songwriter James Reid as the Philippine's ambassador for food security during the opening ceremony of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month and the launch of the DA’s Plant, Plant, Plant program.
Committed to promote food security, nutrition, and youth sector engagement, Reid volunteered to be the new ambassador of agriculture and agribusiness in the country.
"COVID-19 has had a profound Impact in all of us. It has made us focus on the necessities and what’s truly important to us. It has brought to light how inaccessible healthy, wholesome food is to the average person," he said.
"I believe that access to healthy, fresh food is a basic right that should be afforded by every Filipino," he added, emphasizing that he also wanted to shed light on the "hardships" and "sacrifices" experienced by the country's farmers and fisherfolk.
"It is our farmers and fisherfolk," he said, "who are the ones that are protecting this right. They are the unsung heroes of our country--the backbone and heartbeat of our economy."
"I want to use this opportunity to shed light on their hardships and their sacrifices," he said.
"My greatest gift, like many of you, is my voice. So it’s my privilege to be able to use my voice in support of farmers and fisherfolk in the Philippines," he further said.
Reid also said his realization to support the agriculture industry and challenge the status quo, stemmed from current environmental challenges that for years have plagued the sector.
"I once realized there is a need to change the way we see agriculture. The agricultural industry should be protected, supported, and innovated. It is the future of our country," he said.
"Our situation today pushed us to reassess the way that we live. Now is the chance to be more involved in creating a more sustainable future for our generations and generations to come," he added.
During the event, Reid joined Agriculture Secretary William Dar in honoring outstanding farmers and fisherfolk from across the country, and the opening of the Department's photo gallery situated at its Central Office Lobby.
He also assisted DA officials and guests in launching the Plant, Plant, Plant Program to benefit all farmers, fishers, consumers nationwide and increase the country’s food adequacy level amid the COVID-19 health emergency situation. Through this program, the DA will roll out "urban agriculture" or farming in Metro Manila and other metropolitan areas to ensure food security in households. (PIA NCR)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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