SIX Bohol Agro associations received six Investment in Rural Enterprises and Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP) subprojects during a turnover ceremony at the Provincial Capitol Building on April 24, 2023.
In collaboration with the World Bank and the Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), I-REAP subprojects were awarded to six cooperative groups, namely: the Kinagbaan Coconut Farmers and Processors Organization, the Bohol Upland Farmers Federation of Cooperatives, the Bohol Dairy Producers Association, the Loon United Business Initiatives Multi-purpose Cooperative, Alumar Farmers and Fishermen Association, and the Bohol Concerned Citizen’s Action for Progress.
The six I-REAP subprojects focused on uplifting Bohol’s micro and rural agroindustries, strengthening local economic growth through seaweed production, dairy processing, vegetable production, native chicken breeding, coco-processing, and virgin coconut oil production.
DA-PRDP Deputy Director Joel Elumba, who represented PRDP RPC07 Project Director Angel Enriquez, thanked the Provincial Government of Bohol through the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, the Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit, and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist for their efforts in helping the associations in acquiring the funding for capability and technical assistance for their agro-businesses. He added there is still more work to do with Bohol’s agroindustry and hopes to see more upscaling on agricultural projects as part of the National Government’s food security agenda.
“It is clear that our projects are gearing up for food security, and we can achieve that by looking into areas of Bohol’s agricultural and fishery potential where we can upscale and maximize our agricultural production by supporting our beneficiaries,” Elumba said.
Governor Aris Aumentado thanked DA-PRDP, DA-Project Supports Offices (PSO), PPMIU-Bohol, OPA, and OPV for helping Bohol agro-associations acquire the subprojects to improve their livelihoods. Aumentado added that PGBh commits to monitoring the subprojects and finding potential markets for the associations where they can sell their produce.
RPCO 7 I-REAP Component Head David Amrinto said that 25 of 44 I-REAP subprojects for Central Visayas are in Bohol and revealed that the agency proposed 384 million pesos for the Province to upscale agricultural projects.
With a continued partnership with the Provincial Government, DA hopes to increase income, enhance farm and fishing productivity, and promote self-sufficiency among rural agricultural sectors in Bohol. (PIMO/GMC)
