DAR plans assistance for 765 farmers in Benguet

The Department of Agrarian Reform endorsed its Value Chain Innovation for Sustainable Transformation in Agrarian Reform Communities (VISTA) to delegates participating in the Participatory Sustainable Investment Planning Workshop, in a report released on Sunday.

Based on department officials, the VISTA projects conducted by the Philippine government in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) are poised to benefit 86 agrarian reform communities in the Cordillera and SOCCSKSARGEN regions.

VISTA, which was first established in 2023, is a project by the DAR to provide resources for rural communities through strengthening inclusive value chains, sustainable resource use, and climate-resilient farming practices.

The agency stated that the initiative will be composed of six priority subprojects and will mainly focus on the municipalities of Atok, Kapangan, and Tublay under VISTA's Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC).

These proposals are set to focus on bolstering coffee and cacao production in the said areas through various environmental efforts that aim to increase productivity, income, and community resilience.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II and VISTA Provincial Director Lailani A. Cortez explained that the projects allow Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) to work together with local government units and different partner agencies in developing solutions that prioritize the needs of the community.

“Through these six community-responsive subprojects, our beneficiaries will gain the tools, support, and opportunities to enhance their livelihoods and strengthen their local economies,” said Cortez.