Revolutionize agriculture? Tough task but still worth a try

The last time agriculture had its version of springtime was during the time of the late Rafael Salas. His version of “Green Revolution” was amazing because of the breadth of its ambition and the sophistication (welded with practicality) of its programs. The people who were tapped to support the program were drafted from government personnel, who had to do the operational work, and the private sector, from where assistance was sought.

Let this fact sink in. Two future agriculture secretaries, Ed Angara, then from the private sector, and Ding Panganiban, then an up-and-coming Department of Agriculture operations man, served under Mr. Salas in that program.