The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said some 300,000 farmers in Mindanao are expected to benefit from a P2.2-billion rural-development project which was recently launched in Cagayan de Oro City.
Dubbed as the Convergence on Value-Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment (ConVERGE), the DAR said in a statement that the International Fund for Agricultural Development (Ifad) provided funds for the project.
Projects under ConVERGE will be implemented in 11 agrarian-reform community clusters in various provinces of Regions 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), 10 (Northern Mindanao) and 13 (Caraga).
Through ConVERGE projects, the government aims to promote sustainable livelihood activities based on key commodities–including rice, rubber, coffee and cassava.
The projects include construction of postharvest facilities, improvement of rural infrastructures, production and marketing of agricultural products or commodities; capability-building, and procurement of farm equipment.
The ConVeRGE project is a “leveled-up” DAR-Ifad project aimed at helping farmers move from production to marketing, trading and even recycling, acording to Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Herman Ongkiko.
Meanwhile, Ifad Manager for Southeast Asia Benoit Thierry said he expects implementers to exert all effort to ensure the project’s success.
ConVERGE would assist farmers planting abaca in Agusan del Norte, rice in Agusan del Sur, coconuts in Surigao del Norte and coffee in Surigao del Sur.