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Archives
May 1-15, 2000
BAR-WINROCK opens new opportunities for
smallholders
by Thea Kristina M. Pabuayon
The Department of Agriculture, through
the Bureau of Agricultural Research, and Winrock International
are now in the final stages of drafting the masterplan
for the launch of the Market-driven Business Development
for Smallholders project. Over a three-year period,
starting next month, this project will implement an
innovative support system that will use new production
and information technologies. The support system will
seek to promote sustainable development while creating
new business opportunities for the poor disadvantaged
smallholders.
According to Inocencio Bolo, WINROCK country
chairman, many rural farming families dependent on small
farms often lack access to information and new technologies
that would help them increase production and improve
livelihood. This scenario can be reversed through investment
in applied modern information technology. It would be
a way of disseminating market information that will
support farmers, extension agents, families, producers,
and community-based organizations and provide them specific
assistance on target products.
The project has two phases. Phase I (Pilot
stage) will be performed on Region I and will run up
to May 2002. During this stage, participating rural-based
organizations will actively implement market-driven
and sustainable agribusiness practices. Moreover, the
DA Information Technology and Participatory Research
and Development Support System will be put into operation.
Starting June 2002 up to May 2003, the project will
be expanded for nationwide implementation. By 2003,
there will be 13 DA regional offices, 35 ATI training
centers, Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Centers
and other agencies trained on the implementation of
the support system. A core group of trainers will assist
50 priority agricultural provinces. 
May 1-15 2000 Articles: ::
CPAR Mindanao-Visayas projects evaluated
::
BAR-WINROCK opens new opportunities for smallholders
::
CSSP 30th annual scientific conference-paving the way for new discoveries and advances in crop research
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Interregional RDE project underway
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Corn-based farming systems project conducts farmers' field day
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BAR unifies national and regional RDE networks
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The CPAR: an approach to rural development
::: More May 2000 articles :::
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