Agri investments in Mindanao hit P4.48 billion

MANILA, Philippines - Investments in various agricultural infrastructure projects in Mindanao have more than doubled   to P4.48 billion, compared to a target of a P2.08 billion set early this year.

In a report to Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, director Lealyn Ramos of the Department of Agriculture-Mindanao Rural Development Program (DA-MRDP), said the increased infrastructure investments reflect the confidence of local governments on the National Government to implement agricultural development and poverty alleviation projects.

President Aquino, in a recent visit to Davao City, said his administration would combat poverty by directing and encouraging more investments in the agriculture and fishery sector to directly benefit millions of poor Filipinos.

Of the P4.48 billion worth of projects, P189 million worth of projects have been completed; P632.2 million projects are ongoing, and P3.7 billion worth of projects are still in the preparatory stage, according to Ramos who is the concurrent DA-Region 10 director.

The DA-MRDP is a long-term poverty alleviation program that covers 225 of the 420 towns across Mindanao. It is jointly funded by the World Bank, national and local governments, and project proponents. 

The MRDP implements projects like farm-to-market road, communal irrigation systems, potable water systems, bridges and other infrastructure critical to increasing farm yield, resource-based livelihoods, environmental conservation, and governance reform

The infrastructure projects are undertaken with counter-part funding or cost-sharing, where half of the cost is shouldered by the DA-MRDP and the remaining half by the LGU proponent.

Of the six regions covered by MRDP, Northern Mindanao (Region 10) has the most proposed projects, at P1.357 billion; followed by Central Mindanao (Region 12), with P1 billion.

The other four regions, with their corresponding amount of proposed projects are: Western Mindanao (Region 9), P722.7 million; Caraga (Region 13), P612.7 million; Davao Region (Region 11), P533.9 million; and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, P248.7 million.

“Along with the thrust of the current administration, we need to invest more on infrastructure to maximize the agriculture production potential of Mindanao. These projects could increase yields, improve incomes of farmers, cut transportation costs and open more economic opportunities to farmers, fisherfolk and the local government units,” Ramos said.

She added that, under the MRDP Community Fund for Agricultural Development component, a total of 1,532 livelihood projects were proposed by 225 municipalities where about 35 percent of beneficiaries are rural women and indigenous peoples.

Among the completed MRDP projects are several farm-to-market roads (totaling 94 kilometers), five potable waters systems, and 1 bridge, measuring 39 meters long.

Set for completion are an irrigation system in Davao del Sur, servicing 100 hectares; several FMRs, totalling 163.18 km; three potable water systems, and two post-harvest facilities.