Position Paper Group 1

The Conversion of Agricultural Land to Commercial Land
Agricultural land is one of the most important aspects of our life. In agricultural
production the role of land, as the main input, is irreplaceable. Economically land
is the most efficient wealth-generating asset for farmers and is also an important
factor for economic growth. Sen.Raffy Tulfo and Sen. Cynthia Villar fought about
the conversion of agricultural land to commercial land, Sen. Raffy Tulfo said that
he said he has proof that many of the farmlands are being subdivided and this is
the reason why he passed the National Land Use Act. Sen. Villar said,“They
allow conversion in cities and capital towns because if they buy your land, they
buy it expensive and you can reinvest the money and you will make more money
than planting on those lands”. However, the limited and unrenewable nature of
land supply creates fierce land-use competition, usually between the agricultural
and non-agricultural sectors. This gives rise to agricultural land conversion, which
significantly reduces agricultural land availability and threatens the food supply.
We stand negative on the resolution of the conversion of agricultural land to
commercial land. Conversion of agricultural land to commercial and residential
areas decreases the wealth-generating asset of farmers.
Firstly, agricultural land is one of the most important aspects of our life
especially the shortage of food supply is always been an issue here in our
country. FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) found that from 2019 to 2021,
5.3 million Filipinos were severely food insecure, while 48 million more
experienced moderate or severe food insecurity. The FAO report also noted that
been 2019 to 2021, 5.7 million Filipinos were undernourished. That’s why
agriculture plays a significant role, in our, life it may cause a, decrease in poverty.
So how come will want to convert agricultural lands to subdivisions when in fact
we’re dealing with poverty and a shortage of food supply are we really going to
put subdivisions first and then give solutions for our storage of food supply?
Secondly, farmers work in their farm so if we convert farmlands into a residential

area. What are they going to do for a living? Tulfo already stated that farmers are
already being taken advantage of particularly now that we have a Republic act
No.11203 or Rice Tariffication Law, which leads to lower domestic rice prices so
the cheaper rice is coming in, they cannot compete.
Lastly, when the agricultural lands are turned into commercial areas where the
animals live and where to get food the animals can have the effect of death and
economic decline, as for the economy we all know that the Philippines are one of
the poor countries in the whole world, why? It’s because obviously one of those
reasons is poverty and low economic rate because the agricultural land is getting
smaller and smaller. Disaster is also one of the things that destroy agricultural
land, but because of the kills of the farmers, they can easily solve the problems in
the farmland, just like harvesting early when the disaster comes so that even
when the disaster is gone, something will start again they have something to sell
in the markets or even if it’s just door-to-door, farmers are also a supplier when
they come.
Climate change many practices such as burning fields and using gasoline-
powered machinery are significant contributors to the build-up of greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere. The food and agriculture organization of the united
nation (FAO) contends that the livestock sector alone is responsible for 18% of
all greenhouse gas production. Additionally, clearing land for agricultural
production is a major contributor to climate change, as the carbon stored in the
intact forests is released when they are cut or burned. Study shows that up to
certain points, crops and other plants grow better in the presence of higher
carbon dioxide levels and seem to be more drought-tolerant. But this benefit is a
two-edged sword: weeds, many invasive plant species, and insect pests will also
thrive in a warmer world.
According to world bank.org the benefits of agricultural land are that it can help
reduce poverty, raise incomes and improve food security for 80% of the world’s
poor, who live in rural areas and work mainly in farming. It also has a large
impact on our society including supporting livelihoods through habitat, providing
raw materials for food and other processed products, jobs, and building strong
economies through trade. In addition, it also raise economic condition, and it
helps the economy to increase our food supplies. Furthermore, FAO (Food and
Agriculture Organization) they find that a 10% increase in agricultural
consumption growth by 2% on average for consumption non-poor households
0.8% for the poor households. Moreover, we find that agricultural productivity
has a positive significant impact on consumption growth for all land quintiles. In
fact,agriculture is the backbone of the Philippine economy. The agriculture sector
accounts for 11.3% of the country’s gross domestic product in 2014 and 32% of
total employment in 2012 about 67% of the population is directly involved in the
sector. Apart from this agriculture in the Philippines is an important part of the
economy of the Philippines with crops like rice, coconut, and sugar dominating
the production of crops and exports. It employs 23% of the Filipino workforce as
of 2021, according to the World Bank.
In conclusion, we wholeheartedly disagree with the idea of converting

agricultural lands into residential and commercial areas. Because in almost all
countries there is a concern about the management of agricultural land use, as it
provides indicators beyond its ability to produce food and fiber. Agriculture, as a
user of rural land in the countries , not only serves as a mechanism for economic
recovery but also preserves habitats and biodiversity, provides a carbon sink,
and contributes to the conservation of natural waters on earth It also contributes
to the preservation of rural open space and the maintenance of landscape
features, which is largely responsible for the recreational value of agricultural
land. Changes in land use and land cover are important drivers of global as well
as local environmental change. Besides instead of using agricultural land for
residential and commercial purpose, we should just use abandoned areas.
References:
https://business.inquirer.net/318173/converting-agricultural-land-for-development-use
https://kaisahan.com.ph/position-papers
https://ap.fftc.org.tw/article/882
https://www.climate.gov/news-features/climate-qa/are-there-positive-benefits-global-
warming#:~:text=Also%2C%20studies%20show%20that%2C%20up,thrive%20in%20a
%20warmer%20world
https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture/overview
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fao.org
%2F3%2Fbp143e
%2Fbp143e.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiXleij18j8AhXbplYBHZTOAWQQFnoECAQQBQ&usg=AOvVaw26T
q7NX4jGYYyzBvObKi7U
http://legacy.senate.gov.ph/
https://neda.gov.ph/rice-tariffication-law-is-the-best-model-that-we-have-to-help-both-
farmers-and-consumers-neda/

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The Conversion of Agricultural Land to Commercial Land

Secondly, farmers work in their farm so if we convert farmlands into a residential

In conclusion, we wholeheartedly disagree with the idea of converting

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