AsiaDHRRA Online

We are releasing another downloadable ebook for your reading pleasure, this time about the Implications of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) on the livelihood and welfare of small stakeholders in Philippine agriculture and industry This research on ATIGA was anchored by AsiaDHRRA for the Trade Advocacy Group (TAG) and was undertaken by Ms. [...]

This study is part of an initiative to strengthen social accountability mechanisms for food security and agricultural development. Specifically, the program aims to strengthen the capacity of CSOs to monitor and analyze public expenditure processes of IFIs, in particular, the ADB, and the national agencies focusing on agriculture. This paper will: Provide background information on [...]

AsiaDHRRA is currently finalizing the program evaluation of the Linking Small Farmers to Market program conducted by external consultants Dr. Nerlie Manalili and Mr. Jing Pacturan. The evaluation has generated several promising insights and possibilities that will ensure the continued success of the commodity marketing initiatives undertaken by the partners. LSFM is in exploratory talks [...]

The Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA)  will be conducting a forum on May 18, 9:00am to 2:30pm, at the Discovery Suites (Drake, 42nd floor) in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. The forum is a culminating activity of the  study on Strengthening Social Accountability Mechanisms for Food Security and Agricultural [...]

Ms. Chu Thi Mai Anh, Agricultural & Rural Enterprise Development Project Officer, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) The CRS has partnered with the Province of Nghe An to promote a territory approach to agro-enterprise development. This means that the project needs to 1) be implemented through the Government administration structure; 2) improve the skills and knowledge [...]

By Rene Guarin Executive Director, Upland Marketing Program Mr. Guarin introduced the Upland Marketing Program and related about its nearly twelve years of experience in selling directly to supermarkets. He said that direct selling to supermarkets is inevitable given the worldwide trend of increasing rate of grocery sales due to various factors, such as the [...]

Overview of Challenges Experienced by Small Farmers in Engaging with Markets, by Mr. Nonoy Villas, presented the rationale behind supporting small farmers’ commodity-based associations. He started with the definition of terms to illustrate that the small farmers have the weakest link in both the supply and the value chains. He added that small farmers are [...]

Country Presentations from Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia Philippines Mr. Luis Caballero Jr., Vice Chairperson of Zamboanga Sibugay High Value Marketing Crop, presented their community’s experience in maintaining food safety and quality standards for calamansi. In terms of maintaining product quality, this involved the processes before planting, the maintenance requirements during planting season, as well [...]

By Dr. Nellie Manalili, Regional Adviser for Asia on Market Access, Vredeseilanden (VECO) Much of the problems in the agricultural sector exist because we do not understand what is going on. That is why we need to understand what are agricultural chains and how these are linked to the market. In a simple marketing system, [...]

By Mr. David Hitchcock, Agribusiness and Infrastructure Officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Mr. Hitchcock’s presentation focused on the macro-side or larger picture of agribusiness, which is an important aspect to understand about agriculture. There are real differences between small holders (small farmers) and the agri-businessmen and recent sector trends and impacts [...]

We are very pleased to announce the publication of the second edition of the activity monograph of the Regional Conference on the Impact of the Global Economic and Financial Crisis on the Vulnerable Sectors in the Region: Civil Society Voices and ASEAN. The booklet is available in both digital and printed format. You can download [...]

Cagayan de Oro City, June 29 – Representatives from networks of rural NGOs and people’s organizations from nine countries in Southeast and East Asia gathered in Cagayan de Oro City from June 28 to July 2 to discuss how the small farmers and farmerholders can hurdle the extremely difficult challenges of entering and participating competitively [...]

A Team composed of Ms. Marlene Ramirez, Secretary General of AsiaDHRRA, Ms. Ma. Elena Rebagay, Program Manager and Mr. Nonoy Villas, Project Coordinator of Linking Small Farmers to Markets visited and conducted an In-Country LSFM Project Orientation Meetings with anchor organizations in the Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam during the period January 18 to 27, 2008. [...]

AsiaDHRRA and PhilDHRRA Luzon conducted an Altour workshop last November 7, 2007 at the PhilDHRRA Partnership Center in Quezon City. The workshop was participated by PhilDHRRA Luzon members who have altour interest and initiatives, namely Fundacion Santiago, Otradev Foundation, LIKAS, ICDAI, ASCODE Foundation, NORLUCEDEC & Batanes Development Foundation, Inc. The workshop resulted in an initial [...]

Inspired by the rich and dynamic exchanges and fellowship during the series of Asian Rural Leaders’ Dialogue (ALD), AsiaDHRRA was inspired to continue providing mechanisms for dialogue for life or musyawarah. In line with this, the network conducted series of round table discussions (RTDs) from April until July involving key pioneer leaders and groups engaged [...]