DA launches sustainable initiative under WEF

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) formalized its ties with the World Economic Forum (WEF) Grow Asia Initiative by launching the Philippine Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (PPSA.)

Grow Asia is a regional multi-stakeholder initiative created by WEF in partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat which serves as a platform to facilitate public-private partnerships, and increase investment in improving food security and agricultural development in the ASEAN region.

The Grow Asia initiative seeks to promote the development of focus commodities such as coffee, cassava, corn, coconut and marine products, all of which are high value crops and are seen to help improve the quality of life in the countryside.

The DA launched the PPSA during the Grow Asia Agriculture Forum in Jakarta, Indonesia, held on April 21. It aims to form linkages with various players in the agriculture value chain.

“Our goal is not merely to survive and endure during these challenging times, but to flourish in the sector, especially smallholder food producers,” said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala in his remarks during the forum.

He added that the collaboration is “timely and necessary” as the government increasingly partners with the private sector for much of the capital and initiative in opening up rural enterprises.

Alcala said the groundwork for the new collaboration is already being laid down with a consultation meeting with stakeholders and potential investors held last April 13 in Quezon City.

Among the agreements reached were the creation of a national secretariat that will coordinate all efforts and plans for PPSA, as well as a core committee to represent various stakeholders.

Companies that expressed their interest to take part in PPSA include Syngenta and Nestle Philippines.

Alcala was one of the speakers during the open plenary at the Grow Asia Agriculture Forum along with Vietnam’s Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Cao Duc Phat, and other government and business leaders.

In his remarks, Alcala shared the government’s achievements in the agri-fishery sector such as the recent record harvest of rice and corn as well as gains in the management of fishery resources. – Rappler.com