Samar agri projects secure New Zealand funding

MANILA, Philippines — The New Zealand government is allocating P150 million to fund agricultural projects in Samar.

“The embassy has focused on assisting the development of the Visayas and Mindanao. This is in line with the administration’s emphasis on regional development,” New Zealand Ambassador David Strachan said.

New Zealand has committed P44.3 million for a cacao livelihood program in Eastern Samar which aims to increase the income of 1,000 farming households through cacao farming and processing.

A separate project in Samar aims to improve resiliency and reduce vulnerabilities of households.

The program has provided training in organic farming for rice, root crops and vegetables.

The New Zealand government granted P115 million in funding for five years, until 2021.

“We recognize the region’s vulnerability to climate change and the high incidence of poverty in the region. The project complements the Special Area for Agriculture Development Program of the Department of Agriculture,” Strachan said.

The NZ embassy partnered with the Czech-based People in Need NGO and a New Zealand company, SPS Biosecurity in Eastern Samar. In Samar, its partners are Food for the Hungry and Tear Fund New Zealand.