PRRM-Table for Two International launch project in Leyte

The project “Sustainable Agriculture in Typhoon Haiyan-Affected Communties in Leyte” was recently launched in the remote village of General Roxas, municipality of Dulag in Leyte province. This is the first partnership project between the PRRM and the Japan-based Table for Two International (TfTI). The two organizations were represented by Ms. Ichika Cho of TfTI, and Mr. Isagani R. Serrano and Mr. Marlon P. Palomo, PRRM President and Vice President, respectively. Mr. Joselito Gonzales, PRRM’s Sustainable Agriculture Specialist, is Project Coordinator.

With the production assets of rice and coconut farmers severely affected by super typhoon Haiyan, their ability to produce and secure food for their families is compromised. Thus, this partnership project of rehabilitating damaged farmlands towards sustainable agriculture. The TfTI’s innovative calorie offset program aims to transfer excess calories from the rich developed nations to the poor communities where poverty and under-nutrition exist. This food security initiative seeks to help reverse this situation.

With an initial four villages as focus areas, General Roxas and Tigbao in Dulag town, and Hindang and Villa Hermosa in Julita town, the project will train 100 farmer-leaders on sustainable agriculture with a long-term view to food security. Focus will be on organic rice production using the System of Rice Intensification or SRI, food lot modules or vegetable gardening and production of organic livestock, among others. Diversified integrated farming technologies such as intercropping will also be implemented to maximize underutilized coconut farmlands.

​Community consultations and area profiling have been commenced in the four barangays, and agreements have been secured with the local government units. A one-hectare parcel of agricultural land is currently being developed to demonstrate sustainable farming technologies and practices. This capacity building and food production project aims to help secure food and its sustainable production for the rural families. This is PRRM and Table for Two’s contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Leyte province.

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