Citi Foundation in partnership with World Vision recently launched Project AID which stands for Agricultural Innovation Development, to benefit Filipino farmers and their families in the province of Negros Occidental.
This project aims to empower individuals with the necessary tools and skills in agriculture by focusing on the development and implementation of agripreneur programs and smart farming technology.
This year, Citi Foundation launched the first-ever Global Innovation Challenge to identify and provide philanthropic support to community organizations that are developing innovative solutions to address social and economic challenges facing low-income communities. This inaugural challenge provided a total of 25 million USD to 50 organizations around the world, working to pilot or expand ideas and projects designed to improve food security and strengthen the financial health of low-income families and communities.
Last September, World Vision was selected as one of the recipients of this inaugural Global Innovation Challenge and received a grant of $500,000 to improve food security for vulnerable families in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental and help improve their lives by generating growth, diversifying income, providing widespread entrepreneurial opportunities, and environmental recovery so that they can contribute to their communities and experience better living conditions.
“The reason behind the creation of Project AID is to ensure the well-being of our children. This is an opportunity to collaborate with stakeholders for the food security of our families and communities,” said World Vision National Director, Rommel Fuerte.
About 5,000 individuals will benefit from the project through sustainable trainings and supervision in farm management while working with a given agrifood value chain, particularly in rural and disadvantaged areas.
“The design of the project is sustainability. We hope to generate growth, diversify income, and provide widespread agricultural opportunities,” Fuerte added.
In his video message during the launch, Citi Philippines CEO Paul Favila, emphasized the role philanthropy plays in catalyzing change and innovation, “We look forward to seeing more of initiatives to help Filipino farmers improve their livelihood. Through knowledge and skills sharing, these farmers will be able to grow better sustainable businesses and make a positive impact in their communities.”
“Whether it be food insecurity, homelessness or others, the private sector can help address some of society’s most pressing challenges,” Favila added.
Meanwhile, World Vision Resource Development Director, Jun Godornes acknowledged that the country’s farmers are facing many challenges, “Filipino farmers comprise a major sector in our country and have long been considered the backbone of our economy. However, they are always the most disadvantaged.”
“They are facing many challenges including climate change. Their children are not interested in getting into farming because of the very small income, so we are in danger of losing the next generations of farmers. These are the men and women who put food on our tables, and they are not given value by society. World Vision is honored to have been given the opportunity to help bridge this gap and bring resources where they are most needed.” explained Gordones.
Office of Agriculture, Chairwoman Sarah Villaflor, expressed her gratitude for the project on behalf of the farmers in the community. “We can see how serious World Vision is in supporting our farmers, and we can also see that our farmers are working hard to organize themselves and are seeing the importance of making this program sustainable. Project AID will be a big benefit to the families and communities participating in the program,” she said.
Also present during the program launch held at the Municipal Auditorium were World Vision Operations Director Ajab-Aram Macapagat, World Vision Visayas Operations Manager Bonifacio Calapan, World Vision Visayas Area Programme Manager Careen Sampil, Municipal Council members, the local government units, farmers’ associations, and other stakeholders.
