Director-General meets Philippines Undersecretary for Policy and Planning

4 December 2019, Rome - FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu met today with Rodolfo V. Vicerra, Undersecretary for Policy and Planning, Department of Agriculture of the Philippines, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rome, on the sidelines of the 163rd Session of the FAO Council.

During the meeting, Undersecretary Vicerra introduced policies implemented in his country to increase farmers’ incomes and further promote rural areas.

The Director-General, for his part, re-affirmed the Organization’s continuous assistance to smallholder farmers in the Philippines.

Undersecretary Vicerra welcomed the Organization’s new Hand-in-Hand initiative and praised the Director-General for FAO’s support to family farmers and the agriculture sector as a whole. He also applauded the Director-General’s suggestion to enhance the conditions of smallholder farmers by sending professionals to villages to technically support farmers; encouraging the private sector to help farmers and supporting farmers’ cooperatives.

The parties discussed the critical role of youth and women in rural revitalization and agreed on the need to strengthen their collaboration on areas of common interest, such as Triangular Cooperation, the fight against Fall Armyworm and aquaculture.