KLMPE 2018
IYFF+4: Inclusive Agricultural and Rural Development: No One Left Behind
Over 300 farmers, farmer leaders, women and youth farmers, and representatives from farmer and fisher organizations (FOs) from all corners of the Philippines, representatives from government offices, civil society organizations (CSOs), and development partners participated in the Knowledge Learning Market and Policy Engagement 2018 of also the 5th International Year of Family Farming (IYFF) held at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) Convention Hall in Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines on 7-8 November 2018.
Asian Farmers’ Association (AFA), PAKISAMA (member of AFA in the Philippines), and MTCP2 Philippines actively participated in organizing the two-day event and during the event itself. Among the participants, around 140 are farmers and youth farmers under the MTCP2 Programme and PAKISAMA. Case studies from PAKISAMA were also presented during the learning session.
AFA Secretary General Esther Penunia attended the KLMPE 2018 and synthesized the policy recommendations for the five thematic agenda during the dialogue with the government representatives.
Cresente Paez, Cooperative Development Program Director of AFA, together with Mags Catindig of AsiaDHRRA provided a comprehensive synthesis of the learning sessions.
Highlights of the KLMPE 2018
This year’s KLMPE started with the opening of the interactive learning exhibits of the five thematic agenda namely: Asset Reforms, Climate Resiliency, Market Power, Agri-governance, and Youth and Gender in Agriculture. The exhibit showcased knowledge products and processes related to smallholder agriculture / family farming from IFAD, ADB, government agencies, CSOs, private sector and other international Development Partners (DPs) supported programmes and projects.
AFA and MTCP2 Philippines worked together in conceptualizing and manning the Asset Reform booth, where related publications/KM products of AFA were distributed to the participants.
Another highlight of the KLMPE 2018 are the the interactive demos on home-based coco sugar production by Project ConVERGE and DAR, forage chopper mechanical weeder, and practical application of Drone-Based Land Mapping and Monitoring by AFA and PAKISAMA.
John Lagman and Lanz Espacio of PAKISAMA discussed how drones can be useful in mapping lands, as well as in inspecting farms, etc.
On behalf of AFA, Miguel Novero of PAKISAMA also discussed about the Land Matrix initiative in Asia.
Day 1
Pasada Cultural Group performed “Pamilyang Magsasaka”, the theme song of the annual KMLPE during the opening program.
IFAD Philippines Country Programme Officer and ARDKPP Acting Chair Jerry Pacturan welcomes the guests and participants of the Knowledge Learning Market and Policy Engagement 2018.
Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Blesila A. Lantayona delivered a keynote address.
Conchita “Nang Conching” Calzado of SAGIBIN-LN also gave a powerful message on behalf of farmers, women farmers, and Indigenous Peoples. “Kung ano ang kaunlaran para sa amin (mga katutubo), pinaniniwalaan naming kaunlaran para sa lahat, (What is progress for us (Indigenous Peoples), we believe is also a progress for everyone)” she says.
Alessandro Marini, IFAD Country Director for the Philippines also addressed the participants and ended his message by removing his tie to appear more approachable so the participants can easily approach him regarding their issues/suggestions.
Department of Agrian Reform OIC-Assistant Secretary for Support Services Office and Project Management Service Director Ma. Celerina Afable and Dr. Liza Lim, PhilDHRRA Board of Trustee Member each gave a solidarity message as well.
The 2017 KLMPE booklet was also launched. It contains the cases presented during the previous year’s KLMPE.
The KLMPE’s main feature is the Learning/Breakout Sessions focused on issues, opportunities, challenges and trends that affects smallholder agriculture and fisheries, rural development, MSME development. The sessions included policies, concepts and cases that would showcase good and innovative practices in rural development.
Day 2
Another anticipated session is the policy dialogue on the issues of previous years and current year between the farmers and the key Philippine government agencies and international development partners. Policy recommendations on the five thematic agenda of the KLMPE were presented to the government representatives
The next KLMPE is set to be a bigger celebration of the Decade of Family Farming.
To end this year’s KLMPE, Filipino musician Joey Ayala performed “Pamilyang Magsasaka” live at the BSWM Convention Hall. Joey Ayala composed “Pamilyang Magsasaka” which is the official theme song of the annual KLMPE.
The KLMPE is organized by the Agriculture and Rural Development Knowledge and Policy Platform (ARDKPP), a national multi-stakeholder mechanism for agriculture and rural development in the Philippines, with a focus on smallholder/family farmers, fishers and entrepreneurs. The ARDKPP or ARK is composed of representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA), ASEAN Farmers’ Organisations’ Support Programme (AFOSP)-The Medium Term Cooperation Programme Phase II (MTCP2), Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA), Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA), Asian Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Asia (AsiaDHRRA), Trias, and We Effect. ###
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