By Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Zamboanga
del Norte Provincial Office has conducted here on Tuesday the Provincial
Multi-stakeholders forum on ARCP-II Agri-Enterprise Development (AED) at C
& L Sea View Hotel.
Provincial
Agrarian Reform Program Officer Mohammad Dassan J. Adju said the forum aimed to
evaluate the implementation of the programs identified under ARCP-II projects.
Representatives
of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Coconut Authority
(PCA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the city government of
Dipolog also attended the said activity.
As
one of the components of ARCP-II Projects, the AED intends to provide strategic
support services to generate sustained increased income in agricultural
production, productivity and household income; provide them access to rural
credit, market –driven initiative and value-added and pilot ARC connectivity
strategies.
ARCP-II
AED Consultant Luz Ani said the main objective of the project is to increase
the income of the program beneficiaries and alleviate the economic condition of
the marginalized sectors of our society.
AED
is funded through a soft loan acquired by the Philippine government from Asian
Development Bank.
Ani
pointed out that in the last few months of its operation, AED will focus on
community-driven support services such roads, bridges, irrigation,
multi-purpose to maximize production.