The Department of Agriculture today called for increased local government unit (LGU) involvement in the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) and other rural development initiatives.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said LGU involvement in any endeavor of the national government is vital for the initiative to become successful.

“Malaking bahagi po ng tagumpay ng mga programa ng mga pambansang pamahalaan ang nakasalalay sa pakikiisa ng lokal na pamahalaan lalo na po sa mga kanayunan sapagkat sila po ang higit na nakakaalam ng mga pangangailangan ng kanilang nasasakupan,” Alcala said.

The PRDP is a six-year national government platform for an inclusive, value-chain oriented and climate resilient agriculture and fisheries sector.

It is the upscale version of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) where new innovations were introduced to address the present demand to make rural development more achievable, especially in the face of climate change.

The PRDP, which is jointly funded by the World Bank, and the national and local governments, and implemented by the DA, aims to increase farmers’ income in the agri-fisheries sector.

Earlier, the DA said it is considering having radio programs for its rural development projects, which aims to help project beneficiaries come up with informed decisions by providing them relevant information.

According to the Secretary, this sharpens the beneficiaries’ analytical perspectives as they undertake decisions that lead to improved farm management, better yield for the farmers, improved nutrition for the consumers and eventually, food security for the country. Alcala said radio is a powerful tool to inform, educate and update beneficiaries and other listeners on the activities, strategies, approaches, scopes and parameters of projects.

“It can be a good way to solicit public understanding. It may be true that we are already in the computer age, but hindi lahat ng lugar sa mga liblib na probinsya may Wi-Fi. Ang radyo, maliit na baterya lang at isang transistor, kahit sa laot o sa gitna ng bukid, maaari nang makakuha ng mahalagang impormasyon ang ating mga mangingisda at magsasaka ukol sa mga programa ng kagawaaran,” Alcala said. (DA-OSEC)