More Filipino farmers could soon expand their market overseas as an international body funded an initiative to explore export opportunities for agricultural workers.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has partnered with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) for the Agricultural Transformation and Market Integration (ATMI) initiative, Business Mirror reported.
The $2.5-million ATMI project aims boost farmers from Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, export opportunities by identifying value chains of agricultural goods and analyze how farmers can boost competitiveness in the global market.
Among the eyed measures are helping small farmers get credit assistance so they can invest in trucks and machineries that will allow them to transport their goods.
ATMI could also help Philippines match export rates in Australia, the US, Europe, and other Asian countries.
Earlier this year, Department of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol urged overseas Filipino workers (OFW) to help Filipino farmers by investing in the agriculture sector.
Piñol said OFWs may serve as financiers for poor rice farmers who need capitalization for rice production.
Under the program, OFWs may invest P20,000 per hectare, which could generate a P2,400-income annually.