A UN agency and the government of the Philippines announced today the launch of an over €100-million project to support local farming communities and protect the country’s fragile ecosystems.
The initiative, dubbed Value Chain Innovation for Sustainable Transformation in Agrarian Reform Communities (VISTA), will be financed with a total of €104.35 mln, with the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) providing €78.62 mln.
The six-year initiative is built on three pillars – ecosystem planning, protection, and enhancement; sustainable value chain development; and project management – particularly focused on women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples.
According to IFAD, it is expected to support 34 rural communities in the Soccsksargen region and 52 communities in the Cordilleras Region by strengthening the inclusiveness of value chains and promoting the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
“Farmers, for instance, will benefit from sustainable farming practices, better post-harvest facilities, and improved farm-to-market roads that connect their goods to markets efficiently,” Ralph Recto, Secretary of the Department of Finance, said during the launch event, according to local media.
“We will also cultivate a new breed of entrepreneurs who will drive innovation in coffee and cacao production, processing, and marketing in the country. All these while maintaining the cultural integrity of the communities and preserving the natural ecosystem in the area.”
Conrado Estrella, secretary at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the Philippines, said the VISTA initiative would pave the way for stability, as the farming communities in those regions are facing significant economic challenges due to several factors, including climate change.
“More than half the population live in rural areas, where poverty is more acute, and the agricultural sector, which is vital for the country’s economy, has been particularly impacted by factors such as low productivity, climate change, and the rising costs of inputs.”
In light of that, the project will support communities in upland areas by also developing both natural resource plans to adapt to climate change and a ‘disaster response contingency plan’ to prevent disruptions in project areas.
In the last five decades, IFAD has implemented 17 projects in the Philippines, providing over $391.21 mln in financing and reaching more than 1.8 mln households.
By Giada Ferraglioni – giada@carbon-pulse.com
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