Japanese Ambassador Makato Katsura will lead the turnover ceremonies today of a Japanese-funded project which aims to establish organic rice post-harvest facilities in Iloilo worth P2.1 million.

The organic rice post harvest facilities, to be located in Brgy. Salngan, Passi City, Iloilo, is funded through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). The project aims to increase organic rice production and promote rice-based enterprises to increase household income of 108 farmers in Passi City’s six villages.

Farmers in Passi City have shifted to organic farming to gain back soil nutrients in their farm soil. The use of agricultural chemicals in the past has reportedly resulted to the decline in rice produce due to soil infertility.

Aside from the organic rice post harvest facilities, the Japanese government will also turn over in Iloilo today 6,000 metric tons (MT) of fertilizers, which are part of the 26,135 MT of fertilizers worth 480 million yen or approximately P253 million procured by the Philippines under the 31st Japan Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Farmers Program, formerly known as the 2KR or Japan’s Increased Food Production Program.

The fertilizers will be distributed to target farmer-beneficiaries with landholdings of two hectares or below in selected 14 provinces by the Department of Agriculture (DA), particularly in Iloilo and Negros Occidental, and is the second shipment under the program. (Madel R. Sabater)