MANILA – The government of the Republic of Korea is solid in its support for Filipino farmers to have a more stable income and to encourage the youth to enter the farming industry to ensure the growth and stability of agriculture in the country.
In a media statement, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines inaugurated Tuesday the “Pilot Village Project through the Establishment of Protective Cultivation and Postharvest Management of Vegetables in the Philippines” in Siniloan, Laguna.
According to the Embassy, “the project was launched in 2022 to raise the level of income of Filipino farmers by setting up facilities such as greenhouses, net tunnels and postharvest buildings.”
The project also provides various training opportunities to farmers and local government officials to build their technical capabilities.
In his remarks, Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa said that the completion ceremony was “taking place at a very timely moment as the Philippine government and other stakeholders are galvanizing efforts to address soaring rice prices,” and that “elevating the farmers’ living standards is key” to the Philippines’ quest “to become an upper middle-income country.”
He also mentioned that “agricultural facilities were set up here, not just as tangible support but as symbols of hope and growth,” and that the project represented “what can be achieved when people of different backgrounds work together with a unity of purpose.”
The Pilot Village in Siniloan has nine completed greenhouses and one postharvest building, which is expected to bring more stable income to the farmers.
Ongoing are other Pilot Village Projects in Lucban, Quezon and Zaragosa, Nueva Ecija, with the initial cultivation of cucumber, romaine lettuce and French beans, the statement said.
Together with Ambassador Lee, the completion ceremony was also attended by Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban, Siniloan Mayor Patrick Go, Bureau of Plant Industries Director Glenn Panganiban, NICS-RDA Director General Dr. Hyo Won Seo, KOPIA Philippines Center Director Dr. Kyuseong Lee, and other guests at the Siniloan Cultural Center.
KOPIA is an Official Development Assistance (ODA) program of the Rural Development Administration (RDA) of the Republic of Korea. It was established in the Philippines in 2010.
