DTI-8 provides ARCs with support services

TACLOBAN CITY—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Eastern Visayas said it is providing Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) the comprehensive package of support services to improve the lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries.
 
DTI-8 regional director Cynthia Nierras said the agency is currently assisting cooperatives, associations of farmers, landowners, women and youth in 166 ARCs all over the region.

 “We believe they are capable of managing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These services are in the form of trainings and seminars, studies, market development assistance and consultancy services to MSMEs in the ARCS,” Nierras said.

 According to Nierras, DTI has so far helped MSMEs in ARCs through trade fairs, market matching, selling missions, market information services and product development. We have also provided advice on areas related to planning, development, management and operation of MSMEs.

 When the government launched the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in 1988, DTI was directed to provide required support services needed to ensure socio-economic upliftment of the lives of the beneficiaries.

 DTI’s participation in the CARP was formalized with the establishment of the Small and Medium Industrial Technology Transfer Development Program (SMITTDP), which supports countryside development through rural industries.

 “We intend to tap at least 50,000 idle manpower of farmers including their families for income-generating projects. That way, we can increase their household incomes and stimulate industrial activity in their communities,” Nierras said.

 Based on the latest count of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Leyte has 38,883 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs); Biliran-6, 814; Southern Leyte-14,139; Samar-13,826; Northern Samar-13,582; and Eastern Samar-23,680.

 The DTI is currently developing investment opportunities for ARCs in the region on bamboo, banana, vegetable noodle processing, coco coir processing, root crops production and aquaculture. (REYAN L. ARINTO)

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Posted by lsde on Jun 30 2012. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.