Revolutionising Philippine vegetable industry: JICA, DA partnership

A collaboration between JICA and the Department of Agriculture (DA) aims to introduce Japanese technologies and business models in Benguet, Quezon, and Metro Manila to address challenges along the vegetable value chain 

Persistent challenges like price fluctuations, high distribution costs, postharvest losses, and high poverty rates among farmers hinder the agriculture sector, especially the vegetable industry. A modernised value chain is urgently needed to provide higher income for farmers and promote private sector participation and job creation.

The "Project for Market-Driven Enhancement of Vegetable Value Chain in the Philippines (MV2C-TCP)" seeks to develop inclusive Food Value Chain (FVC) models to tackle issues at various stages of the value chain.

One year into the MV2C-TCP implementation, the Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) discussed the project's progress and future directions.

“JICA continues to highlight agriculture development as a backbone of Philippine economy in terms of its prospective impact to economic growth, poverty alleviation, job creation, promotion of healthy lives of Filipino people, among others. Also, in these years, JICA has been advocating and promoting the “Market-Oriented Approach” to the agriculture development even in other countries. As such, MV2C-TCP remains to be a relevant and important part of JICA’s assistance portfolio in the Philippines,” said OSHIMA Jiro, senior representative of JICA Philippines Office.

Aligned with DA secretary Tiu Laurel's three-year plan to modernise Philippine agriculture, the MV2C-TCP aims to spread benefits across the entire value chain and make farming viable for investors.

Collaborating with stakeholders from all stages of the vegetable value chain, the MV2C-TCP is implementing six pilot projects in target sites. These projects focus on production techniques enhancement, refrigeration system optimisation, plastic crate utilisation, modern distribution channel linkages, value addition through merchandising, and vegetable consumption promotion.

Stakeholder forums held in Benguet and Quezon provided a platform to share information about MV2C pilot projects and conduct business matching among stakeholders.

The project plans to expand pilot projects in additional municipalities in Benguet and Quezon this year. It aims to develop and disseminate inclusive FVC models comprising various verified technologies from pilot projects.