The AGRI Party-list is pushing for incentives for private companies to encourage them to buy directly from small-scale farmers.
“Paliit nang paliit ang bilang ng small-scale farmers natin. Hindi rin naman natin sila masisi dahil kadalasan ay kakarampot ang kita nila dahil binibili ng mura ng mga middleman ang mga produkto nila, at saka naman inilalako nang mas mahal sa mga malalaking kumpanya. It is no wonder that farming is often associated with poverty,” AGRI Party-list first nominee and former judge Frank Lobrigo said.
AGRI also wants to put a price ceiling on agricultural produce to ensure that the net income of small-scale agricultural farmers shall not fall below the poverty threshold of their respective localities.
“We want to do away with this mindset. Kaya naman gusto nating bigyan ng insentibo ang mga kumpanyang tumatangkilik at sumusuporta sa mga small-scale farmers, including tax incentives,” he added.
Lobrigo said AGRI will file a bill to give tax incentives for private companies who will buy or are willing to issue a letter of guaranty for the purchase of the produce of small-scale farmers. Eligible small-scale farmers which these companies could tap would be identified by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with the goal of reducing poverty in the country.
“As tax incentive, the purchases from subsistence farmers as endorsed by the DA and DSWD may be given a 25% to 50% premium or addition to cost as deduction from the cost of sales,” the former judge said.
“Another way of incentivizing would be giving tax credit in the succeeding tax period where the percentage or ratio of purchases from subsistence farmers to gross purchases may be given as direct tax credit or deduction to the income tax due. If such purchases will amount to .005%, then the taxpayer should be given a tax credit in similar percentage,” he added.
Lobrigo further said that AGRI also wants to put a floor price on agricultural produce to ensure that the net income of small-scale agricultural farmers shall not fall below the poverty threshold of their respective localities.
“At the same time, we want to encourage private companies to work with small-scale farmers to build community goodwill. It will become a win for both parties involved.”
“Gusto nating magkaroon ng guaranteed market ang ating mga magsasaka para naman mawala ang pangamba nilang walang bibili sa mga ani nila, at para hindi na rin sila mapilitan na ibenta sa napakamurang halaga ang kanilang mga produkto para lamang mabawi nila ang naging kapital at hindi tuluyang malugi,” Lobrigo said.
“Ayaw nating mawalan sila ng pag-asa sa pagsasaka. Most rural families nowadays want their children to pursue what they perceive to be more lucrative jobs in urban areas. We want to change the mindset of the younger generation and make farming appealing for them,” he added.
“At the same time, we want to encourage private companies to work with small-scale farmers to build community goodwill. It will become a win for both parties involved,” he further said.
