The Philippines’ department of agrarian reform (DAR) has launched a US$46.1mn project with International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to boost agricultural productivity, particularly in rice, coconut and coffee plantations in three regions
The Convergence on Value-Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment (Project ConVERGE) is a new partnership and is expected to benefit over 300,000 farmers including 38,700 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the 11 agrarian reform community clusters in Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Caraga Region.
DAR undersecretary for foreign-assisted special project Herman Ongkiko said that ConVERGE is a levelled-up DAR-IFAD project that would help farmers from production to marketing, trading and even recycling.
“Through this project we can help them rise from poverty and secure food on their tables,” Ongkiko said.
According to IFAD manager for Southeast Asia Benoit Thierry, the dedication of project implementers to undertake the programme would be instrumental in improving the living conditions of the ARBs.
