We are not behind

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor ERIC T. LORETIZO Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Knowing that one of the goals of the state visit of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to the Philippines was to learn food production technologies that can be used to boost the food requirements of his country, gives us reason to celebrate the ingenuity of the Filipino. President Obiang's statements were a shot in the arm to our deteriorating stature as an agricultural state. His interest in Philippine agriculture underscores the fact that while we may not be the best in the field, we are still advanced enough to be considered capable to transfer technology to other countries. There was a time when current agricultural giant Thailand used to send their people to our schools to learn our rice farming and aquaculture technologies. We must, therefore, be very good teachers because we have been surpassed by Thailand in the field of agriculture.

In today's technologically-advanced world, President Obiang's visit reminds us of the great potentials of our country and people. It's interesting how it takes a visitor to make us see how lucky we are to be blessed with fertile lands and bountiful seas. If an outsider can be impressed by the advances we made in agriculture, which, to a large extent, is outdated compared to our more progressive neighbors, it would have more impressive if our farmers and fishermen, with the support of government, are able to maximize production without sacrificing sustainability.

We cannot overemphasize the fact that the Philippines has both the human resources and natural wealth, significant requisites that could catapult the country into a major player in global agriculture. If our government and industry leaders pursue this goal, President Obiang's learning visit could only be the start of visits by other heads of state to learn from our farmers and fisherfolk.*