FAO crafts 6-year plan to improve Philippine farms

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have crafted a six-year framework plan that aims to achieve greater food security and improve the local farm sector.

Under the new FAO Country Programming Framework for 2018 to 2024, FAO pledged continued support for strengthening Filipino communities’ resilience against the threats of climate change and human-induced disasters.

“There is much more to be done to ensure that every Filipino will have access to safe, affordable and nutritious food and is resilient against threats of climate change and human-induced disasters,” said Kundhavi Kadiresan, FAO assistant director-general and regional representative for Asia and the Pacific.

FAO will also work closely with Philippine partners on promoting resilient agriculture, sustainable management of natural resources that support community livelihoods, and a common understanding of diversity and inequalities of areas affected by conflict to accelerate peace and development in Mindanao.

For his part, National Economic and Development Authority  director-general and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the framework indicates renewed commitment and partnership for development.

The framework is focused on areas where FAO can make transformative contributions including human capital development, economic opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, ecological integrity, reducing vulnerability of individuals and families, and just and lasting peace.

FAO will also contribute in improving nutrition by strengthening capacities at the national and local levels on mobilizing resources, incorporating nutrition-sensitive food systems in development plans, and establishing or enhancing information systems related to food security and nutrition.

The international agency noted that the growth of the local agriculture, forestry and fishery sectors continues to be hampered by declining productivity and non-competitiveness, due to the limited implementation of technology, degradation of natural resources, and high vulnerability to climate change.

“Now is the time when we need to focus our investments on agriculture and rural development so that we can move forward and get back on our feet faster than the threats and disasters that jeopardize our food security and that of generations to come,” FAO representative to the Philippines Jose Luis Fernandez said.

FAO will contribute to improving access of poor rural producers, small farmers, fisherfolks, agrarian reform beneficiaries, and other value chain actors, including indigenous peoples to appropriate global production and post-harvest practices and technologies.

The framework is aligned with the priorities of the Philippine Development Plan, the UN-Philippine Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.