PPP projects to boost agri, fishery growth

THE National Economic and Development Authority said public-private partnerships (PPPs) for infrastructure and value-chain development will be strengthened this year to sustain growth in the agriculture sector.
 
“Support from the private sector is seen as a major contributor to the government’s efforts to quickly deliver the needed infrastructure and services in the agricultural and fisheries sector,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.
 
Balisacan, who is also Neda director-general, noted that a value-chain approach, wherein stakeholders are strategically connected from the production to marketing stages, is central in determining the appropriate mix of interventions necessary in making the sector an entry point for overall inclusive growth.
 
“For 2013, the sustained development of the agriculture and fisheries sector remains critical to achieve the overarching goal of inclusive growth and poverty reduction particularly in rural areas,” he said.
 
PPP projects, such as irrigation infrastructure, food supply chain, and postharvest services are eyed this year, the Cabinet official said. Production centers for various farm inputs, fish farming infrastructure, and market and trading centers are also considered under the said project schemes.
 
According to the Socioeconomic Report (SER): 2010-2012 recently released by Neda, upgrading of rural infrastructure and facilities, enhancements in markets and regulatory competence, and improvement of credit access were undertaken to boost agricultural production and marketing. (SDR/Sunnex)