The Japanese government has extended smallholder farmers across three provinces in the country the local currency equivalent of P4.5 million in logistical support to ensure their farm produce get to the markets fresh and without delay.
The Japanese Embassy in Manila said the support is in the form of refrigerated trucks for smallholder farmers in Rizal, Laguna and Antique whose lack of access to affordable logistical equipment have denied them the opportunity to market the fruit of their labor and better their lives.
In turnover ceremonies on Thursday, Nishimura Tokiko, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, presented the refrigerated trucks to Ahon Sa Hirap (ASHI) president Mercedes Abad and complete the official development assistance (ODA) program first approved in 2021.
Nishimura recognized the invaluable contribution farmers make on the economy and thanked the ASHI for work empowering smallholder farmers.
As the country’s top ODA donor, Japan launched the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) in the Philippines in 1989 to reduce poverty and help various communities engage in grassroots activities.
At present, 557 grassroots projects have been implemented by the GGP. Japan believes the projects will strengthen the friendship between Japan and the Philippines and contribute to sustaining strategic partnerships between the two countries.
