CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)- The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-10 called on the public to support and cooperate with the conduct of the 2022 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries (CAF), highlighting its importance in economic development planning and policymaking.

"The main objective of the CAF is to provide government planners, policymakers, and administrators with agriculture and fisheries data on which to base their social and economic development plans, policies and programs which are vital for the country’s development," said PSA-10 Chief Statistical Specialist Sarah Balagbis.

She said the CAF helps the government determine programs and interventions for farmers, fisherfolks, and other stakeholders in the agriculture and fishery sectors.

Conducted every ten years, CAF is a large-scale government undertaking geared towards the collection and compilation of basic information on the agricultural and fishery sectors in the country, 

It has been the source of comprehensive statistics on agriculture and fisheries for the general public, government, business industries, researchers, and academic institutions.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-10 Regional Director Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño affirmed the need for accurate data to provide the appropriate services and interventions to the agriculture and fishery sector.

"Our farmers, fisherfolks, and all those in the agriculture and fishery sector need more than their own resources to succeed. They require support from well-designed policies, plans, and evidenced-based action. It is our shared responsibility that drives progress and resiliency," she said.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has already declared the month of September as the National Agriculture and Fisheries Month through Proclamation No. 272, which he signed last June 26, 2023.

The Proclamation directs all agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, and all local government units, non-government organizations, professional associations, and the private sector to provide support and assistance to the PSA for the conduct of 2022 CAF.

It also encourages all individual citizens, especially agriculture and fisheries operators, to cooperate by providing truthful and complete responses to the census interviews.

"We ask the support and assistance of our media partners in instilling public awareness, appreciation, and support for the 2022 CAF. We also need the support of stakeholders to drum up and highlight the importance of the census," Balagbis further said. (APB/PIA-10)