On March 12, 2024, Tachikawa Jumpei, First Secretary and Agriculture Attaché, participated in the After-Action Review and Sustainability Workshop in Davao City. This event served as a precursor to the culmination of the JPY 200 million Japan-funded “Project for Sustaining Rice and Corn Production in BARMM through Efficient Fertilizer Use Amidst the Global Impacts of the Ukraine War.”
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to escalating costs of food, fertilizer, and fuel worldwide, indirectly affecting the Philippines. Despite not directly importing fertilizer from Russia, the country grapples with soaring fertilizer prices due to its status as a net importer. This situation exacerbates challenges faced by BARMM, marked by high poverty rates, low crop yields, and escalating farm input expenses.
The project has already benefited 4,474 farmers, comprising 1,203 rice farmers and 3,571 corn farmers across Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and the Special Geographic Area (SGA) as of January 2024. In addition to providing fertilizer, the initiative includes capacity-building exercises on soil testing and fertility management to promote efficient fertilizer use.
The workshop convened key project partners and stakeholders to glean insights from its successful execution. Mr. Tachikawa urged attendees to apply lessons learned and emphasized the judicious use of fertilizers to maximize results while safeguarding the environment.
Through collaboration with various entities, the Government of Japan aims to uplift smallholder rice and corn farmers in BARMM, bolstering their productivity and income levels.
