PHL envoy to Rome seeks support for family farming

Filipino Ambassador to Rome Virgilio Reyes Jr. sought support for family farming initiatives in the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. In a news release, the DFA said Reyes "sought IFAD's support in terms of concrete projects and funding for the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF) celebration in 2014." Reyes made the appeal as he presented his credentials as Philippine Permanent Representative to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to IFAD President Kanayo Nwanze last March 14.   The DFA said Special Agriculture Representative Lupiño Lazaro, Jr. accompanied Reyes in the event.   Nwanze responded positively to Ambassador Reyes' request, noting that the IYFF supports IFAD's focus on "small-holder producers," which include producers or entrepreneurs in crops and fisheries, whether landless or not.   Meanwhile, Reyes reiterated the Philippine government's support for IFAD's focus on sustainable small-holder agriculture and improvement of the famers' lives, especially rural women.   IFAD is a specialized agency of the United Nations and was established as an international financial institution in 1977 as one of the major outcomes of the 1974 World Food Conference, which was organized in response to the food crises of the early 1970s that primarily affected the Sahelian countries of Africa. "IFAD has become a dependable partner in the Philippine government's development initiatives providing US$168.8 million for 12 agricultural projects nationwide," the DFA said. - VVP, GMA News