The amount of sub-projects approved under the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) increased by up to 1,212% in the last eight months, according to PRDP data.

Based on the report, sub-projects approved for implementation and are currently on-going implementation under the Infrastructure Development (I-BUILD) component of the PRDP have increased to P3.02 billion (B) from P230 million (M) in closing of December, 2014.

Meanwhile, the amount of Enterprise Development (I-REAP) sub-projects approved for funding doubled in the last eight months — have reached P78.65-M for 10 sub-projects from P35.88-M for two sub-projects before the end of 2014.

In a status update presented by PRDP National Project Deputy Director Arnel De Mesa, the total portfolio for I-BUILD has increased by 240% from P10.98-B to P37.39-B. Meanwhile the overall I-REAP portfolio has increased 354% translating to P1.64-B in funds.

De Mesa added that majority of Local Government Units (LGUs) are keen on participating in the PRDP. Seventy-five out of 80 provinces in the country have already forged memorandum of agreement with the Project, from 58 as of December, 2014 data.

There are now 69 approved Provincial Commodity Investment Plans (PCIPs) from only 28 in the last eight months.

A PCIP is a strategic plan that rationalizes the interventions within the various segments of the value chain of commodities significant to the province and will contribute to the national goals of the agriculture and fishery sector.

The approved Value Chain Analyses (VCAs) under the PRDP doubled from 16 last December to 33 as of date.

The VCA is a tool used to assess the status of a particular industry, the linkages and interplay of the different value chain players and identify upgrading strategies and interventions that could contribute to the development and strengthening competitive advantage of the industry.

Some of the approved VCAs are coconut for Region 5, seaweeds for Regions 4-B, 6, 7, and Mindanao cluster, dairy cattle for region 4-A, abaca for Region 5 and 13, and cacao for Region 11 and Mindanao cluster.

While the PRDP has shown an impressive portfolio in its first year of implementation, Secretary Proceso J. Alcala still urged project implementers to always put the farmers in the center of every sub-project.

“PRDP is committed to deliver critical infrastructures and establish actual enterprises benefiting farmers and fishers,” explained Alcala.

“It is important that the roads we approved are connected to national roads and other roads that will change the lives of our farmers,” he added.

Currently, a delegation from the WB, together with PRDP team visits various projects around the country to review and assess the implementation of sub-projects on the ground.

PRDP is a six-year national project that aims to establish a modern, inclusive, value-chain oriented, and climate resilient agriculture and fisheries sector. It is implemented through the partnership of the DA, the WB, and Local Government Units. (Catherine Nanta, DA-PRDP)