Jica, DA roll out value chain project to grow PH vegetable sector
MANILA -The Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) have started implementing a technical cooperation project intended to develop vegetable value chain models that will help curb rising food prices and unstable food supply.
Dubbed the Jica-DA Project for Market-Driven Enhancement of Vegetable Value Chain in the Philippines (MV2C), the initiative is aligned with the Philippine Vegetable Industry Roadmap 2021-2025 that aims to level up the vegetable sector and achieve food security and better quality of life.
MV2C is expected to serve as an input to realize the strategies of the vegetable industry roadmap with pilot activities in Benguet, Quezon Province, and Metro Manila.
These activities include capacity building of farmers to diversify harvest time and stabilize vegetable supply as well as improve the distribution, processing and consumption of vegetables in the country.
Rising food prices in the Philippines and unstable food supply are not only major concerns in the Philippine agriculture sector, but are also threats to continued economic growth in the country.
“To provide a holistic solution, our project envisions to cooperate not only with farmers, relevant government institutions and local governments, but also with private sector and consumers,” said Sakamoto Takema, chief representative in the Philippines of Jica.
“Jica recognizes the importance in addressing development needs in every node of the value chain, especially in the post-harvest and marketing sides,” he added.
Through MV2C, Japanese experts are being dispatched in the Philippines to provide technical guidance and share their experiences and know-how in developing Food Value Chain models.
Farmers and other agriculture stakeholders are expected to learn from the innovations and best practices of Japan in the sector.
According to Jica, one of the pilot food value chain projects is aimed at stabilizing the supply of major vegetables in the target areas by capacitating farmers in preparing better farming plans to diversify harvest time, among others.
Other pilot projects will cover distribution, processing, and consumption of vegetables to provide a holistic approach in addressing the issues along the vegetable value chain.
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