The Asian Development Bank signed a $2-million (P100 million) grant yesterday to support the Philippine Competitive and Inclusive Agriculture Development Program (CIADP2) that will be implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
CIADP2 aims to reduce income inequality by expanding economic opportunities in the country’s farm-fishery sector amid the pandemic with the proposed technical assistance package funded by the Japanese government through its Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the grant will used in implementing key policy actions.
Dar said that bulk of the grant, or $1.493 million (P74.6 million), will be used to establish rice-based cluster farm models in selected areas, two each in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to showcase the farm and fishery consolidation and clustering program.
“The aim of the farm clustering is to replicate the lessons learned from relevant projects or other undertakings in the Philippines, highlighting the importance of the participation of local government units and private sector as partners,” Dar added.
The DA said cluster farming technologies used by more advanced countries like Japan as well as neighboring rice-exporting countries like Vietnam and Thailand will also be pursued.
At least $250,000 (P12.5 million) of the grant will be used to conduct a mid-term evaluation of the Rice Tariffication Law and Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund implementation and its impacts on the rice market, industry stakeholders and the government’s role in the rice sector.
The remaining amount will be used for the conduct of rapid analyses of key agriculture commodities such as coconut, sugar and pork for timely decision-making on key agricultural policy issues and the establishment of a centralized database for key agricultural commodities.
Part of the will also be used to assist relevant government agencies in achieving gender equality targets.
