Japanese government turns over 2KR fertilizers
A ceremonial turnover of fertilizer from the Government of Japan (GOJ) to the Government of the Philippines (GOP) will be held on November 4, 2009 at the Port of Iloilo in Iloilo City.
A total of 26,135 MT of ammonium sulphate fertilizers worth Y480 M were provided by the GOJ under the 31st Japanese Assistance for Food Security Project for Underprivileged Farmers or the Japan 2KR Program. This program aims to support the GOP’s efforts to alleviate poverty and attain self sufficiency in food production.
The Exchange of Notes between the two governments covering this grant was signed on March 30, 2009. As part of the agreement, the GOP shall monetize the ammonium sulphate fertilizers through sale in the local market. The approximate peso proceeds from the sale amounting to P162 million will be utilized by the GOP, particularly the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Economic and Development Authority to fund social development and agricultural and fishery development projects.
The supplier for the fertilizers is Mitsubishi Corporation, which won the supply tender held in Japan on July 10, 2009 conducted by Japan International Cooperation System, the Procurement Management Agent for the program.
Leading the ceremony for the GOJ is Japan’s Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Makoto Katsura, First Secretary of Agriculture Takehiko Sakata and Third Secretary Shigehiro Matsuda, together with representatives from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Senior Representative Kenzo Iwakami and Representative Ryutaro Kobayashi.
Representing the GOP to receive the goods for the Philippine side are DA Undersecretary Salvador Salacup, NAFC Deputy Executive Director Maria Luz A. Enriquez, Iloilo Provincial Governor Niel D. Tupas, Sr. and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas together with officials of DA-Regional Field Unit (RFU) VI headed by Regional Executive Director Larry P. Nacionales and Mr. Ricardo P. Provido, Jr., Chairperson, Regional Agricultural & Fishery Council, Region VI. Representing the consignee is Agrotech Agricultural Products, Inc.’s Vice-President and National Sales Manager Daniel G. Oñate and Mr. Carlomagno S. Salapantan from Aganan River Federation of Irrigators’ Association, representing the farmer-beneficiaries.
Other representatives attending the ceremony include, Mitsubishi Corporation General Manager Nobuya Ichiki, with Manila Branch Department Manager-Commodity Chemicals, Chemicals Division, Ms. Kyoko Takagi, officers and staff of the National Agricultural and Fishery Council and DA RFU VI.
The fertilizer shipment which arrived in Iloilo last October 2, 2009, is the 2nd of the four (4 )shipments to be delivered by Mitsubishi Corporation. The first shipment was delivered in Davao on September 9 while the 3rd and 4th shipments will be delivered in Subic within November and December 2009, respectively.
The target users of the fertilizers are rice farmers who are using certified seeds and good seeds in areas covered by the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (Rice Program) in Regions 2, 3, 6, 10 and 11. (DA-6)
