Gov’t, PCCI cooperating to boost agri market access

THE Departments of Agriculture (DA) and of Trade and Industry (DTI), along with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), are collaborating on a project that aims to improve market access for farmers.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Chamber said the tie-up, firmed up in a memorandum of agreement signed June 14, will harmonize the three organizations’ market-access activities under the DA’s Agribusiness Support for the Promotion and Investment in Regional Expo (ASPIRE) project.

Under the project, farmers will be trained to meet the standards and delivery preferences that attract buyers, assisted in organizing for trade fairs, and prepared for business and investment forums, among other activities.

“Implementation targets call for each of the country’s regions to make at least one marketing agreement for three priority commodities, enrollment of 75% of ASPIRE farmer participants in the RIPPLES PLUS ( Regional Interactive Platform for Philippine Exporters) program of DTI per year, and at least two marketing agreements renewed or expanded,” the PCCI said.

RIPPLES PLUS aims to provide training and capacity- building, investment, marketing and promotion, support innovation and product development.

The project will be pilot-tested in the regions of Central Luzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, and Soccsksargen with full implementation expected next year,

Under the deal, PCCI regional and local officers will serve as co-chairs and members of regional technical working committees with the DTI and the DA.

“Collective action with the smallscale farmers would result in lowering production and transaction costs and in true market prices,” the statement added. —