“Enhancing Production and Profitability of Market-Oriented Organic Vegetables in CALABARZON”
The project is currently being implemented by UPLBFI, funded by RP-Japan Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Farmers through the NEDA Region IV-A in coordination with principal cooperating agencies: DA RFU IV-A, DTI IV-A and DOST IV-A.
It is the objective of the Project to enhance production and profitability of market-oriented organic vegetables in selected areas of CALABARZON through systems approach and harmonized participation among stake holders
Partnerships have been established with farmer groups in three (3) areas of the Region.
In Baras, Rizal, the KAKASA (Kasamahan sa Kalikasang Pagsasaka Multipurpose Cooperative) involves 15 active organic vegetable farmers while the TAFFA (Tayabas Federation of Farmers Association) have 20 farmer leaders who are at the same time vegetable growers. Both organizations are strongly supported by their respective local government executives, Mayor Wilfredo Robles of Rizal and Mayor Dondi Silang of Tayabas, Quezon. In Rosario, Batangas, the Municipal Agriculturist will formalize the farmers’ association of 20 vegetable growers through the Barangay Agriculture and Fisheries Council while the STIARC (Southern Tagalog Integrated Agricultural Research Center) provides vegetable seeds and other farm inputs.
The Project involves establishment of techno demo farms, procurement of farm equipments and field supplies, capacity building, production of IEC materials, market positioning, standardizing products and procedures; complying with certification systems, among others.
The project duration is 2 years which started on October 2007 and will end on October 2008 so that the sustainability aspect is one of the more important components of the project
What is organic farming?
Organic farming is an agricultural production system that promotes environmentally, socially and economically sound production of food and fibers. It excludes the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators, livestock feed and additives and genetically modified organisms (IFOAM).
NEDA PEP (KR2) ACTIVITIES IN CALABARZON
At present, NEDA Reg. IV-.A is working at generating more project proposals from target proponents. This is done through advocacy to LGUs, NGAs, Development Councils, SUCs, etc. In fact, the Office has scheduled to conduct a project development training, one of the objectives of which is to come up with projects eligible for PEP assistance.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
- In 2006, the Government of Japan approved the implementation of the NEDA Productivity Enhancement Project under the NEDA share of the RP-Japan Grant Assistance Underprivileged Farmers (formerly the KR2 Program)
- The project will provide funding support to locak or community agri-based activities
- It aims to enhance productivity and increase rural income of under-privileged farmers and rural folks.
- Eligible project activities are mainly those catalytic in nature, and essentially are application of best practices pilot-testing of new technologies, prototyping or applications of new products or technologies, as well as innovative value-formation initiatives leading to enhanced productivity.
- The project is implemented through the NEDA Regional Offices.
- In early 2007, the CALABARZON-RDC Sectoral Committee on Economic Development conducted project call advocacy to announce the NEDA KR2 project’s readiness to entertain and accommodate project proposals.
- The UPLB-Agricultural System Cluster (UPLB-ASC) in the same year, submitted a proposal on the promotion of organic vegetable farming entitled “Enhancing Production and Profitability of Market-Oriented Organic Vegetables in CALABARZON.”
- The project was approved on September 27, 2007. A MOA was entered between NRO IV-A and UPLBFI providing grant financing for the implementation of the latter’s project on organic vegetable production.
- At present, facilitation of project implementation and monitoring is coordinated by the NRO IV-A through the RDC’s SCED.
- A quarterly status report is submitted by UPLBFI. S
