AMAI MANABILANG, Lanao del Sur (PIA) -- Department of Agriculture (DA) Sec. William Dar said the use of modern technology will accelerate the development of agriculture in the country.

"Ang paggamit ng [the use of] modern technology can spur or accelerate the development of agriculture in our country," he said during the launching of Agro-Industrial Development Program (AIDP) in the municipality.

Dar said the modernization of agriculture in the country has always been their major development strategy.

"The modernization of Philippine agriculture has always been a major development strategy for us to elevate this game because today the Philippine agriculture [is not that advanced or does not have a strong contribution to the economy] ay hindi pa ganon ka advance hindi pa ganon ang dami o lakas ang kontribusyon niya sa ekonomiya," he said.

He shared that agriculture only contributes 10% to the Philippine economy. With this, he emphasized that the use of modern technology can increase the productivity level in agriculture. The agriculture secretary also hoped that the AIDP of the Southern Philippines Development Authority will serve as a model to transform the country's agriculture. (LELA/PIA Lanao del Sur)