DR. WILLIAM D. Dar, a noted son of the Ilocos Region now the director general of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India, has urged bail-out measures for poor farmers across the world, especially those cultivating the drylands of developing countries such as the Philippines.

“It is not just Wall Street that needs bailing out,” Dar said referring to the current financial crisis.

“Poor farmers across the world, especially those working the dry lands of developing countries, need policy, institutional and financial bailout as well,” he added.

Dar noted that even as governments of developed and developing countries are bailing out banks, insurance companies and financial institutions, they continue to neglect the poor farmers, an action that can have both short- and long-term adverse impacts on national and global economies.

As of July 2008, out of the world population estimated to be 6.6 billion, one billion are extremely poor and living in the dryland areas of the world.

“In relation with the present day food crisis and unabated rise in food prices, the poor, more than anybody else, has aright to substantial assistance from governments,” Dar said.

Among the bail out measures he proposed are financial assistance, establishing supportive policies and more effective institutions, improved infrastructure, and easier access to better quality seeds and other farm inputs.

He also pointed out the need for more support for agricultural research to improve crop yields and farmers’ income. – SMAP

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