BOMBON:In a significant move to boost agricultural productivity and farmer incomes in Camarines Sur, the Japanese government has funded the establishment of a new food processing training center in the town of Bombon. The facility, which cost USD62,247 (approximately PHP3.6 million), was inaugurated on Tuesday, with key stakeholders in attendance.
According to the Japanese Embassy in Manila, the grant was channeled through the Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., which will spearhead the capacity-building programs aimed at benefiting local farmers. The investment covers not only the construction of the physical training center but also the procurement of essential training equipment. This initiative is expected to enhance the processing skills of farmers, thereby increasing the value of their products and ultimately, their incomes. The program targets 10 communities within the province, where the average income of farmers is notably low, owing in part to a lack of vital post-harvest processing skills.
The turn
over ceremony saw the participation of several dignitaries, including Japanese Embassy’s Second Secretary Nishimura Tokiko, Pilipinas Shell Foundation Executive Director Sebastian Quiniones Jr., and former Vice President Leni Robredo. During the event, Nishimura highlighted the critical role of farmers and emphasized the collective effort required to build a robust, sustainable, and resilient agricultural sector.
The funding for the training center is part of Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), which was initiated in 1989. The GGP aims to reduce poverty and empower communities through grassroots projects. The embassy expressed that initiatives like these not only strengthen the bonds between Japan and the Philippines but also contribute to sustaining strategic partnerships between the two nations.