Japan donates refrigerated trucks to farmers in 3 provinces
Published Jun 18, 2023 06:24 am
Japan has provided refrigerated trucks to farmers in provinces of Rizal, Laguna, and Antique to help them retain the quality of their produce while transporting them to markets.
The Government of Japan turns over refrigerated trucks to farmers in three provinces in the country. (Photo courtesy of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines)
The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines said three refrigerated trucks were turned over to the provinces on June 15. The donation was made under Ahon sa Hirap, Inc. (ASHI), a non-governmental organization that aims to provide assistance to smallholder farmers from their project sites located in the provinces of Rizal, Laguna, and Antique. "With the lack of access to logistical equipment, the farmers assisted by ASHI had limited capacities in ensuring the timely delivery of their produce and retaining its quality and freshness," the Japan Embassy said. "They also had to shoulder high transportation costs. Under these circumstances, ASHI recognized the necessity to streamline the supply chain operations of the farmers," it added. Japan's role in the initiative was to provide a grant amounting to $90,231 to ASHI. The grant covered the procurement of three refrigerated trucks. During the turnover ceremony, Nishimura Tokiko, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, recognized the invaluable contributions that farmers make to the local and national economy, and thanked ASHI for their partnership in empowering the farmers. Approved in 2021, the project is part of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) through the Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP). As the top ODA donor for the Philippines, the Government of Japan launched the GGP scheme in the Philippines in 1989 to reduce poverty and help various communities engage in grassroots activities. At present, 557 grassroots projects have been implemented by the GGP. "Japan believes that these projects will strengthen the friendship between Japan and the Philippines and contribute to sustaining strategic partnerships between the two countries," the embassy said.
The Government of Japan turns over refrigerated trucks to farmers in three provinces in the country. (Photo courtesy of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines)
The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines said three refrigerated trucks were turned over to the provinces on June 15. The donation was made under Ahon sa Hirap, Inc. (ASHI), a non-governmental organization that aims to provide assistance to smallholder farmers from their project sites located in the provinces of Rizal, Laguna, and Antique. "With the lack of access to logistical equipment, the farmers assisted by ASHI had limited capacities in ensuring the timely delivery of their produce and retaining its quality and freshness," the Japan Embassy said. "They also had to shoulder high transportation costs. Under these circumstances, ASHI recognized the necessity to streamline the supply chain operations of the farmers," it added. Japan's role in the initiative was to provide a grant amounting to $90,231 to ASHI. The grant covered the procurement of three refrigerated trucks. During the turnover ceremony, Nishimura Tokiko, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, recognized the invaluable contributions that farmers make to the local and national economy, and thanked ASHI for their partnership in empowering the farmers. Approved in 2021, the project is part of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) through the Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP). As the top ODA donor for the Philippines, the Government of Japan launched the GGP scheme in the Philippines in 1989 to reduce poverty and help various communities engage in grassroots activities. At present, 557 grassroots projects have been implemented by the GGP. "Japan believes that these projects will strengthen the friendship between Japan and the Philippines and contribute to sustaining strategic partnerships between the two countries," the embassy said.