March 1, 2010
Philippines receives UN grant for agriculture projects
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has approved US$4.4 million in funding for three agriculture-related projects in the Philippines, former Philippine Ambassador to Italy Philippe J. Lhuillier said.
In a statement, Lhuillier, who also serves as the Philippine permanent representative to the FAO, said the first project is aimed at increasing farm productivity. Under this project, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will promote small-scale irrigation and integrated crop management systems in rain-fed areas.
About US$3 million was earmarked for this project. The fund came from the European Commission''s (EC) Food Facility, which was set up in 2008 to help affected countries cope with the food crisis in 2007 to 2008.
The Philippines was considered by the EC as a second-tier beneficiary due to the level of its economic development. First-tier countries, particularly in Africa, were given priority in the grant.
The second project involves the immediate restoration of food security in flood-affected areas in Region IV-A (Calabarzon) through the provision of agriculture and fisheries inputs and technical support.
The US$857,000 earmarked for this will come from Spain but coursed through the FAO, which is expected to benefit 10,400 farmers.
The first two projects will run until 2011, while the third is a technical assistance to help the Philippines on the diagnosis and management of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome and other swine diseases to improve swine health. This gets US$445,000 from FAO.