PHL, Germany sign agreements on improving rice and abaca output

The Department of Agriculture and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on Wednesday signed two agreements to help the Philippines improve abaca and rice production.

 

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the projects will "further ensure sustainability of the government's current programs on improving abaca and rice production."

 

He was referring to the Abaca Sustainability Initiative and the Better Rice Initiative Asia-Fostering Agriculture and Rice Marketing by Improved Education and Rural Advisory Services (BRIA-FARMERS).

 

The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority will implement the P19-million (€386,000) Abaca Sustainability Initiative from 2015 to 2016.

 

"The Initiative aims to secure the ecological sustainability of abaca fiber production and to enhance the income of the abaca farmers through improved access to markets and extension service in the mountainous provinces of Madalag and Libacao in Aklan, and Janiuay and Maasin in Iloilo," the department said.

 

On the other hand, the BRIA-FARMERS project will be implemented by the Philippine Rice Research Institute from 2015 to 2017 in the provinces of Aurora, Iloilo and Southern Leyte. 

 

"It seeks to contribute in achieving the goals under the Philippine Development Plan in strengthening the agricultural sector and improving food security in the Philippines," according to the DA.

 

The collaborative project is facilitated by the GIZ among German private and public sector institutions through the German Food Partnership of the German Federal Ministry of Development Cooperation.

 

The project with a P90-million (€1.8 million) budget involves the training of local government unit-based trainers in enhanced agricultural extension to ensure that the adoption of technology and farm-based enterprises will be sustained beyond the project duration. 

 

GIZ  helps the German government achieve its objectives in international cooperation. – Kathryn Mae P. Tubadeza/VS, GMA News