Spain grants support fund for RP farmers
The Spanish Government has affirmed its assistance to flood-affected farming communities in the Philippines.
During the World Food Day celebration, the Philippines, represented by Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap had signed a memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with country representative Kazuyuki Tsurumi of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for a US$ 471,000 support fund from the Spanish Government.
The amount represents the assistance of the Spanish Government to flood-affected farming communities in Eastern Samar and Leyte provinces.
Yap revealed that the project will run for one year effective October 2008 to September 2009.
He said that will provide farmers in the affected areas agricultural inputs such as rice and corn seeds, assorted vegetable seeds, and fruit trees seedlings; fertilizers, poultry and livestock, fish fingerlings, among others.
In addition, training to farmers and women's groups will also be given to improve their technical knowledge and skills on sustainable crop, animal and aquaculture production including processing; and enhance their capabilities to adopt to other livelihood activities and other coping strategies in times of natural calamities.
Aside from the signing of MOA for fund support, the DA has also launched a nationwide promotion of organic farming as a way to improve agricultural productivity and ensure food sufficiency.
This year's World Food Day is anchored on the theme "World Food Security: the Challenges of Climate Change and Food Security."
In order to meet the challenges, "we must feed the people now," Yap pointed out. (PIA)