The Department of Agriculture (DA) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) officials convened for the Second Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) Meeting for the Implementation Phase of the Technical Cooperation Project on “Market-Driven Enhancement of Vegetable Value Chain” (MV2C-TCP) on May 27, 2024.

Leading the DA’s delegation were Agriculture Undersecretary Jerome Oliveros, for Special Concerns and Official Development Assistance (ODA) – Foreign Aid/Grants, and Assistant Secretary Atty. Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra, for Consumer Affairs.

The DA delegation included representatives from the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), Project Development Service (PDS), and Special Projects Coordination and Management Assistance Division (SPCMAD). It was also attended municipal agriculturists from the implementing provinces.

Launched in October 2021, the MV2C-TCP aims to develop an inclusive business model for a profitable vegetable value chain.

The meeting focused on presenting the progress and achievements of the MV2C-TCP, a year after its implementation in the pilot provinces.

The pilot areas for the MV2C-TCP include the provinces of Benguet (La Trinidad, Buguias, Atok, Kibungan, and Mankayan), Quezon (Dolores, Sariaya, Gumaca, and Lopez), and Metro Manila.

The project is set to run from 2023 to 2028.

During the meeting, officials also discussed the work plans for 2024. ### (text by Kristel Merle/photos by Adonis Buhayan, DA-AFID)