Japan funds agri devt thru NGOS
AMBASSADOR Kazuhiko Koshikawa signed grant contracts on March 17 with Japanese nongovernment organizations (NGOS) conducting activities in the Philippines. They are the following:
Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement Int’l. for the “Negros spreading sericulture-based silkworms nationwide deployment support (Phase 3),” with a grant amount of $574,214 (approximately P27.7 million). In this project, seven provinces (Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Aklan, Iloilo, Antique, Misamis Oriental and Negros Occidental) will undergo mulberry field maintenance and other activities in each site to contribute in improving the skills of the farmers. This aims to develop model sericulture farmers, whose additional expertise in the future will increase the production of cocoon and high-quality raw silk.
Ikaw-ako for the Commercialization of Japanese Quality Strawberry and Promotion of Agri-tourism in Highland (Phase 2), with a grant amount of $263,644 (about P12.7 million). This project works to commercialize strawberry cultivation and encourage farm tourism in the village of Patag in Silay City, Negros Occidental. It will lay out an income option for the residents by utilizing Japan’s strawberry-cultivation technology and expertise in the operation of agri-tourism farms.
The Japan Agricultural Exchange Council for the Safe Vegetable Production Technology
Dissemination and Vegetable Distribution System Improvement Project, with the grant amount of $789,856 (around P38.1 million). This aims for the dissemination of the technology of applying charcoal, wood vinegar and compost produced by locally available materials in the vegetable fields to reduce production costs and secure income for farmers. It is also geared to improve the vegetable distribution process in Central Luzon.
The Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO projects started in the Philippines in 2002. Since then Japan’s government has made contracts for 55 projects in the Philippines under this scheme, amounting to approximately ¥1.4 billion in total. Its embassy in the country believes that these projects will not only strengthen the friendship between peoples of both countries, but also bolster their existing strategic partnership.