The Department of Agriculture is proposing a medium-term nationwide rural development program that will initially cover Regions 4A, 4B, 5, 6, 7, and 8, and the provinces covered under the Mindanao Rural Development Program Phase 2, its press release said yesterday.

DA Secretary Proceso Alcala said the Philippine Rural Development Program will be funded through a $500 million loan from the World Bank, a $120M counterpart from the Philippine government and beneficiary local government units, and a $7M grant from the Global Environment Facility.

The proposal aims to increase the agricultural and fishery productivity, and incomes of small farmers and fisherfolk through the establishment of farm-to-market roads, bridges, communal irrigation systems, and potable water systems.

Alcala said the program is expected to run for six years, the press release added.*

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