Research that works for developing countries and Australia

 

Philippines - Country Strategy

  1. Overview
  2. Country Strategy
  3. Priorities
  4. Key Program Managers
  5. Current Projects
  6. Concluded Projects
  7. Achievements
  8. Relevant Publications
  9. Country News and Stories
  10. Project Locations
  11. Country Office
  12. Country Portfolio
  13. Fellowship Statistics

Country Strategy

The main aim of ACIAR–Philippines cooperation is to assist in increasing productivity, marketability and international competitiveness for Philippines agricultural products, taking into account the impacts of trade liberalisation. Underlying this competitiveness is the need to improve agricultural productivity through more-effective extension of research results to farmers and processors, and through greater responsiveness to market opportunities. This should result in higher quality commodities being produced more competitively. ACIAR will focus on opportunities through research for development and marketing of products from aquaculture, horticulture and livestock enterprises. The emphasis on higher value products and market competitiveness aims to address food security by supporting research that would provide smallholder farmers and traders with increased cash income, enabling the purchase of staple foods. A significant proportion of Philippines farming is carried out in fragile sloping environments or sensitive watersheds, and it is important that intensification of agricultural productivity does not come at the expense of land degradation. During 2010–11 earlier natural resources management research efforts will be consolidated, both thematically and geographically.

ACIAR’s focus is on research; however, to increase the prospects for adoption of research results, the Philippines program increasingly emphasises involvement of local partners (such as local government units, NGOs and farmer community groups) in projects and commercial agribusiness companies. There is a focus on fostering linkages between regionally based delivery organisations and central research organisations and policymakers. There is greater emphasis on the southern Philippines within a limited number of focal provinces in regions 10 and 11 (Mindanao) and regions 6, 7 and 8 (Visayas). The southern Philippines has the greatest development needs and the strongest engagement of Australian interests.