DAR Caraga organizes 11th synchronized multi-agency assessment

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Caraga, along with its provincial counterparts, hosted the 11th DAR-DTI CARP-DOST Synchronized Assessment and Planning Session, together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) at VCDU Prince Hotel on April 5, 2024.

This synchronized assessment served as a venue for the participating national government agencies to discuss and unite their efforts in promoting value chain development and rural enterprise productivity of the targeted agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and their respective ARB organizations.

OIC-Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Hermegina M. Gabor stated that along with its main purpose, this activity is also aimed at, "seizing the opportunities of the growing trend on livelihood enterprise development that are geared towards livelihood diversification and to further increase the potential advancement of sustaining and accelerating economic growth."

During the presentation of slated activities for FY 2024, much focus was given to food processing enterprises which are primarily under the Village-level Farm-Focused Enterprise Development Project of VLFED.

The VLFED which made considerable waves in FY 2023, reported its national accomplishment in its key indicators which are the provision of business development services (BDS) to ARBOs and ARBs served with 100% and 126%, respectively.

Another remarkable accomplishment is the marketing sales of Caraga with P 641-M of reported sales, securing Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte the 1st and 4th spot respectively on a national scale at DAR.

With this, the DTI CARP and DOST representatives renewed their commitment in assisting the targeted ARBOs by expressing that they have also allocated resources in helping achieve their respective Food & Drug Administration (FDA) certifications, among others.

Much of the discussion then shifted towards the individual presentations per agency which was followed by a unifying approach strategy as part of this activity's goal.

Regional Director Atty. Merlita S. Capinpuyan relayed her message of gratitude for the cooperation and willingness of the partner agencies of advancing our common goal of uplifting the lives of the Filipino farmers, starting in Caraga.

As such, with these new developments in the enterprise assistance sector, ARBOs throughout the region should expect a lot more from DAR, DTI CARP, and DOST in 2024.