Philippine Agricultural Economic Restoration

In November 2014, IsraAID Philippines launched The Food Security and Agricultural Livelihood Program for small-scale community farmers in the typhoon affected area of Ormoc. The program was developed in response to the massive loss of livelihoods, particularly for those relying on agriculture as their source of income. Offering support and capacity building for small-scale community farmers in the rural affected area of barangay Cabintan in Ormoc City, Leyte, including an introduction to modern technology through hands on training. Using practical tools and brainstorming innovative solutions affords the framers further growth in income generation and long term recovery. The program is carried out in collaboration with the Cabintan Farmers' Association (CALCOA) and different entities working in the area, including local government units, The Visayas State University, and Energy Development Corporation.

The program, based on a holistic approach, aims to enhance the farmers’ capacity from production to marketing, thus improving the economy of the farming community and creating significant agri-business opportunities for generations to come.

The main achievements since the beginning of 2016 have been life altering for the farmers and the community as a whole. Over 30 association farmers are receiving continuous hands on support and training in the field including: land preparation, crop planning, plant nursery, irrigation, plant protection, crop management, and post-harvest. We have also created a system where the farmers are keeping track of their harvest and income. IsraAID specialists are accompanying them through this process but the ultimate goal is for them to be able to take full responsibility of both these tasks by the end of the year. In collaboration with the farmers IsraAID has continued to create a structure of the profit distribution in an efficient way, so that part of the profit finances current expenses while the rest is saved for future needs. We have also helped a group of most knowledgeable farmers to attend an in depth 'accounting for non-accounts' training program which provides them with further expertise to keep track of their business.

As the success of this program continues to grow IsraAID intends to further develop its agricultural learning center inside the already existing production site. Already the Regional Vegetable Industry Value Chain Stakeholders Consultation Forum (RVIVCSCF) held a session for traders to observe the production site. Following feedback from the traders abouttheir requirements and market demands, connections were made between the CALCOA and the RVIVCSCF. The significance of this long-term bond will help to ensure increasing profitability for framers.

In order to ensure the sustainability of the program, IsraAID aims to offer prolonged training and supervision, for the farmers spanning three years, which will enable the CALCOA to move from traditional practices to modern agricultural practices.

We are at the most crucial stage of our program, as the farmers have only just begun to witness the advantages of the newly introduced practices. With continued support and oversight IsraAID will be able to complete the gradual process of knowledge transfer, community empowerment and long term development that will allow the community to invest in their future.