Recognizing the invaluable contributions of the private sector to the advancement of the agri-fishery sector, the Department of Agriculture (DA) convened key industry leaders for a consultative meeting on the proposed “Philippine Sustainable Agriculture Transformation (PSAT)” project on October 4, 2024, at Marquis Events Place, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Agriculture Undersecretary for Special Concerns and Official Development Assistance (ODA), Jerome V. Oliveros, along with Assistant Secretaries Arnel V. De Mesa and Philip C. Young, led the meeting.
“Be that as it may, we recognize also that even with the support of international institutions like World Bank, the key to a successful ecosystem is a well-coordinated partnership between the government and the private sector. This has been proven time and time again, and the same is true not just in agriculture but in all sectors—all stakeholders must participate proactively, especially the private sector—that is why an occasion such as this where we have the opportunity to talk with each other is of paramount importance,” Usec. Oliveros said.
The meeting aims to gather insights from industry leaders on how the DA can enhance mechanisms to incentivize or facilitate private sector investment, particularly in post-harvest activities. It also sought to improve policies and procedures to foster a better business environment for agri-fishery enterprises, including consolidators and logistical support, and to strengthen linkages among value chain actors.
“The DA envisions that the PSAT will significantly boost the pace of the sector’s development, as we are looking not just into filling in the gaps created by our limited budget, but also into accelerating our priority programs at an exponential rate to achieve economies of scale, and ultimately, transform the sector into one that is secure, resilient, and self-sustaining,” Usec. Oliveros said.
The DA’s PSAT project is a four-year government initiative designed to accelerate and scale up agriculture and fisheries development through the World Bank’s Program-for-Results (PforR) financing. It will be the first project in the Philippines under this financing scheme.
The project, valued at US$1 billion (Php 55.9 billion), targets the start of procurement by July 2025. It aims to revitalize the country’s agri-fishery sector by providing meaningful support for agri-food systems resilience through climate-responsive approaches, diversification, an enabling policy environment, and enhanced fiscal performance.
Last month, the DA, in collaboration with the World Bank and other prospective implementing agencies, conducted the project’s identification mission to define program boundaries and identify indicative results areas. ### (Kristel Joyce Merle, DA-AFID)
