THE Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas initiated the two-day reorientation and retooling activity for the Philippine Rural Development Project-Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit (PRDP-PPMIU) of Negros Occidental on Monday, February 7.

PRDP is a national project under the DA that aims to establish a modern, climate-resilient, and market-oriented agriculture and fishery sector with various components such as I-Plan, I-Build, and I-Reap.

The meeting discussed the PRDP overview, convergence with other government initiatives, project development objectives, and PRDP processes.

The respective accomplishments and plans for the rollout of the subprojects to be implemented in the province were also underscored at the activity.

Lacson said the activity is proof of the provincial government’s resolve to maximize all the resources and mechanisms available to further the welfare and development of the province’s agriculture sector.

He said the activity will optimize the opportunity provided by the PRDP to make better the course of agriculture, and to improve the quality of life of the Negrense farmers through the provision of key infrastructures, facilities, technology and information to raise income, productivity and competitiveness.

More PRDP projects in the province such as farm-to-market roads, ports and bridges, and poultry and swine breeding, production and marketing enterprises, among others, have already contributed to local development.

The project implemented through the PRDP has a funding counterpart from the World Bank, National Government, and the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental. (PR)