Philippines’ Farmers for Food (PhilFF) Project

As a continuing endeavor to strengthen the capacities of sugar and corn farmers, the Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA) has just partnered with the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) in implementing a project, entitled, “Philippines’ Farmers for Food (PhilFF).”  The PhilFF project is a capacity building initiative for the members of four networks/federations of farmers, namely, National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), Federation of Free Farmers (FFF), Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA), and Kalipunan ng Maliliit na Magniniyog ng Pilipinas (KAMMPIL).

Philff covers the provinces of Western Batangas, particularly the sugarcane areas; Bukidnon where corn farmers are; and Quirino as it includes rice farmers. Three training activities on good governance are slated from April 2010 to October 2011. This will enhance the participation of national farmers’ organization in local governance institutions.

Meanwhile, activities on productivity enhancement and crop diversification, improved marketing, and organization development will be undertaken to help small farmers’ mitigate the negative effects of volatile food prices.

With climate change as a burning issue in rural development, training activities on the impact of climate change on agriculture, including appropriate adaptation measures is a highlight of the project. More details of the PhilFF project will be made available on the website.