Remarks by Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney
At the 21st PhilRice Conference
The Science City Of Munoz, Nueva Ecija
March 11, 2008

As delivered

Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat….that means good morning even though it’s closer to noon.  I’d like to thank Doctor Sebastian for a wonderful welcome here to PhilRice and for inviting me to see the work you do here and to meet so many of the farmers, scientists, and researchers.  I’d like to thank the mayor for not only a warm welcome to this the “Rice bowl of the Philippines,” but also for providing the wonderful entertainment, showing us the great local talent.  I’d of course like to thank the provincial administrator and the governor for welcoming us to the province today.  But lastly, I’d like to thank you.  Those of you who are farmers, congratulations!

 

Your work literally feeds the nation.  I’ve traveled around the Philippines and I’ve seen the impact that agriculture has on the day to day life of Filipinos.  I’ve been told that about two thirds of the population of the Philippines is somehow involved in agriculture.  On top of all of that, rice is king.  This country is one of the greatest consumers of rice; the rice production is a great part of the agricultural output.  You’re to be congratulated, for the work you do in feeding this nation every single day.

 

I’d also like to congratulate and recognize those who work in research and development because even as the farmers work everyday in the fields to produce a crop, to feed their families and to feed this nation, the researchers are busy thinking of tomorrow.  How to produce the very best variety [of crops], how to make them environmentally sustainable, how to make sure that the land continues to be good tomorrow, and how to deal with the inevitable natural disasters and weather issues that we can’t control.  It’s a great partnership and when married up with those who do development, it puts great crops in the fields, farmers produce better crops, get more income, and you can feed your nation and export even more.

 

If you wonder why the U.S. Ambassador is here today, there are two reasons:  One is to congratulate the farmers.  And I have a particular soft spot for farmers, my father-in-law is a cotton farmer in west Texas.  He has never made any money off his cotton farm, but he sure loves it.  And maybe this year if commodity price is going up, he will.  He’s 93 years old and he still farms everyday.

 

The second reason I’m here is because America, like the Philippines, is built on agriculture.  We’re two agricultural countries and that relationship has been strong for so many years.  We not only trade agricultural products, but we’ve shared expertise from the most sophisticated research combining with other international partners all the way down to working in the field to help people produce better crops.  I was very impressed to see the work going on here with rice today.  I’ve had the good fortune to meet dairy cattle farmers in Camarines Sur and to work with cacao farmers in Tuguegarao.  All of this is an extraordinary partnership because we live in today’s global world.  We count on each other to continue to continue feed our planet, to stave off poverty and to make sure work is environmentally sustainable so that we have this beautiful planet for years to come.  I’d like to thank all of you for doing me the honor of letting me speak to you -- a distinguished group of farmers, researchers, scientists from the Philippines, and colleagues of course, from other nations.  It’s a great honor for me to be able to thank you for the work you do everyday on behalf of all of us.  I thank you very much, I wish you every success in the future.  May God bless you and the work you do and maraming salamat – thank you for listening today.