Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura announced that the Government of Japan approved to finance two projects under the Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Farmers Program (formerly known as the RP-Japan Increased Food Production Program or KR2). These two projects are the “AKBAY – Agrikultura: Kaagapay ng Bayang Pinoy (Agriculture a Partner in Philippine Progress) Program” and the “Rehabilitation of Small-Scale Irrigation Projects for Upland Productivity and Resource Sustainability”.
The 150 Million Pesos AKBAY project, which had been proposed by the National Agricultural and Fishery Council, aims to contribute to the Government's efforts to assist the 31 low income provinces in Luzon and Visayas by providing the agriculture and fisheries sectors with livelihood opportunities to enhance employment generation, strengthen entrepreneurial skills, and, thus strengthen marginalized groups' capacity in agri and fishery activities. The project components include financial assistance to agri-and fishery-related micro-income generating activities, which include the acquisition and establishment of pre and post harvest facilities and thus strengthening agricultural and fishery activities, including processing.
The Project for Rehabilitation of Small-Scale Irrigation for Upland Productivity and Resource Sustainability, amounting to P300 Million Pesos, intends to improve the living conditions of upland farming communities by creating opportunities for increased productivity and income while protecting upland resources. The project includes rehabilitation of 185 small-scale irrigation activities, enhancing agricultural productivity of around 6,300 hectares of unproductive upland areas as well as capacity building for upland farmers. The project implementation is spearheaded by the Bureau of Soils and Water Management of the DA.
The Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Farmers Program, previously known as the Increased Food Production Program or 2KR Program, aims to focus on uplifting the lives of disadvantaged farmers. The National Agriculture and Fisheries Council of the Department of Agriculture spearheaded the implementation of the program. Initiated by the Government of Japan in 1977, the program has, since its inception, contributed to increasing agricultural productivity in the Philippines, through a commodity assistance that comes in the form of farm inputs such as fertilizers. These commodities are sold and the proceeds, accumulated in Counterpart Funds, are utilized to finance various agricultural and fishery projects as well as environmental and socio-economic development projects.
The Government of Japan has assisted the Philippine Government in its efforts to attain food security by enhancing agricultural productivity in rural areas for four decades.
