Development Wisdom from Dr. Romulo Davide, 2012 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee

This life story of Dr. Romulo Davide, agricultural scientist and 2012 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, made me both inspired and sad. To be inspired by his life and wisdom is self-evident. But it's sad to think how our nation has ignored so much talents, creativity, and dedication among our people.

Some words of wisdom from Dr. Davide for our country's development:

• There is no barren soil, only barren mind.

• Education is important to get out of poverty.

• (Go to UP.) Exposure to greatness and passion for excellence.

• Wherever you are, do your best; lest you may lose the chance to do it again.

• Land to the landless.

• Poverty will just keep on reproducing itself if we don't address it.

• The countryside is critical. Liberate poor farmers from the bondage of poverty and hunger.

• When you fail that means the approach is wrong so we have to change it.

• When you train farmers as scientists you cannot fail their perception, their mind, and their production.

• Farming is business. What farmers need now are inputs, seeds, markets, roads. Teach them how to produce organic, compost, whole seeds, hybrid so they only need market and (farm-to-market) roads.

• Every municipality with farmers should have markets ("bagsakan").

• Scientists are always hopeful.

• Farmers have no right to remain poor, nor we have the right to keep them poor. Because we need them. But we lack regards for farmers. Rich and developed countries take good care of their farmers and are proud of them. Farmers are heroes of the land.

• Bring the university to the farmers.

• Always think young.

• Work with pleasure. Enjoy your work.

• Wherever there is poverty, we/the government should be there. Prioritize 6th, 5th, 4th, and 3rd class municipalities by letting them produce their own food, education, and increasing their incomes.

Dr. Davide's scientific profession is a very good source of reflection for our country's development plans for "national industrialization", the establishment of a "national innovation system", and the creation of "sustainable communities". It's essentially telling of how we have historically missed the active role of government:

• in coordinating all its policies, strategies, and agencies (industrial policy); 
• in linking the state with universities and industries (national innovation system); 
• in prioritizing R&D (research and development); 
• in valuing science and technology as well as scientists and engineers (knowledge-based society); and 
• in observing the important linkages between the sectors of manufacturing, agriculture, advanced services, SMEs, as well as the 'informal' economy (synergies in economic development). 

Can we institutionalize a "Council of Elders" with wisdom — notable Filipinos who have seen and experienced much of life and history — who will make sure that over the short-, medium-, and long-terms we are leading to our national goals of social justice, democracy, and development? 

Hope!

Addendum