Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. recently visited the demonstration farm of the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM), which serves as a regional hub for agricultural training, research, and extension services.
The visit underscored the ongoing collaboration between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and TTM through the Agri-Cluster Consolidation and Cooperation (ACCC) project. This initiative supports local farmer cooperatives by providing essential resources such as farm inputs, seedlings, and agricultural facilities, all aimed at enhancing agricultural resilience, improving disaster reduction systems, and integrating digital tools to boost promotional efficiency.
A key beneficiary of the ACCC project, the Sembrano Climate Resilient Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (SCRFAC), has made significant strides in both rice and vegetable farming. The cooperative, composed of 140 members, now practices crop rotation to diversify from rice into high-value crops like tomatoes and chili peppers, offering improved cash flow for its members. Secretary Laurel highlighted the cooperative’s achievement of Philippine Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) certification for both rice and vegetable production in December 2024, with further support from the DA in the form of postharvest storage facilities.
The visit was further marked by the presence of Taiwan’s technical support, with TTM helping the farmers with market linkages and post-harvest techniques to ensure steady profitability. The Secretary praised Taiwan’s pest management, typhoon, and flood-resilient agricultural strategies, which align closely with the DA’s goals of diversifying crops and boosting farmers’ incomes. Ambassador Wallace Chow of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) and other officials also joined the visit, further solidifying the partnership between the Philippines and Taiwan in agricultural development.
