NZ gives $2.6-M aid to Mindanao farmers

The New Zealand government is providing $2.6 million or about P124 million for the agriculture sector in Mindanao.

The New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Aid Program said the assistance is seen to improve production, particularly rice, corn and bananas, in Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

The grant, which will be downloaded to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN-FAO) as the implementing partner, will be available by the first quarter of 2018.

“This project…will help lift the poorest and most vulnerable farmers...to make them more equipped to benefit from and contribute to the national economy. We are optimistic on the potential and role of the region,” FAO representative to the Philippines Jose Luis Fernandez said during the project launch yesterday.

The FAO has been implementing projects in Mindanao funded by the New Zealand government since 2011.

The new project is expected to benefit 3,050 farming households or about 15,250 individuals in conflict-affected areas.

The grant includes agricultural training, strengthening of new and existing community-based organizations, and establishment of start-up enterprise packages such as machineries and post-harvest facilities.

The project will also identify market and value-chain opportunities and enhance capacity in addressing disaster risk reduction and management as well as climate change adaptation.

The New Zealand government said it is considering additional financial support to help combat illegal fishing and develop the dairy industry in the Philippines.