The dangerous uncaring attitude toward agriculture has been a major factor in our rural poverty rate, now at 32 percent, worse than those of our neighbors (e.g., Vietnam, 17 percent; Indonesia 15 percent, and Malaysia, 2 percent). If we continue to ignore agriculture, the danger of increased poverty, severe health issues, and peace and order problems will escalate. Agriculture today contributes 35 percent directly and indirectly to our gross domestic product.
Budget support
Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) governments provide agriculture its needed budget support. For example, as a percentage of their national budgets, Vietnam provides agriculture 5.6 percent and Thailand…
Keep on reading: Dangerous attitude toward agriculture