With a common goal of helping farmer families to recover from the devastating impact of Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses, Cargill Philippines and Save the Children Philippines launched the Yellow Corn Project in Cagayan which is an inclusive business livelihood project that provides training on good agricultural practices, farming inputs and post-harvest support while integrating farmers directly into the animal feed value chain.
The Yellow Corn Project will provide farm inputs and services to 430 corn farmer beneficiaries and capacity-building to around 2,150 farmers. Adopting an inclusive business model, the project aims to consolidate farmer’s production to respond not only to the quality but also with the quantity requirements of feed millers. The corn harvested will be purchased by Cargill as an off-taker, thus making the project one that truly integrates the project recipients into the animal feed value chain. Consolidation of farm production as a means to boost productivity and efficiency is aligned with the strategies of the Department of Agriculture, Government of Philippines.
Besides the livelihood component of the project, 450 school supplies and kits have been distributed to their children in early-September before the opening of the new school year.
The project is part of a three-year partnership between Cargill Philippines and Save the Children Philippines. It aims to address the key results areas on farmer livelihoods, food security and nutrition, continuity of learning, and the impact of climate change to the most affected families and children in Baggao, Cagayan.
“Loss of livelihood due to disasters directly affects and limits the ability of parents and caregivers to provide the basic needs of their family, as well as support the education of their children. Through the Yellow Corn Project, we aim to help the farmer households sustainably recover while supporting the continuous learning of their children,” said Jerome Balinton, Humanitarian Manager of Save the Children Philippines.
“Cargill Philippines is deeply committed to building sustainable food supply chains in our local communities and creating meaningful environmental, social, and economic impacts. Driving greater focus on our sustainability initiatives allows us to contribute towards enriching farming communities and providing them with improved access to nutrition and livelihood,” said Sonny Catacutan, President of Cargill Philippines and Managing Director of Cargill Animal Nutrition and Health Philippines.
“It is important that children learn despite the pandemic and disasters. Their continuous learning is each and every children’s right, and more importantly, it gives them a sense of normalcy and security,” added Balinton.
A ceremonial project launch was held in Baggao, Cagayan which was attended in limited capacity by officials from Cargill Philippines and Save the Children Philippines, together with key stakeholders, including Baggao Municipality Mayor Joan Dunuan and Department of Agriculture Region 2 Corn Program Coordination Mr. Paul Vincent G. Balao. It also included the handover of farm inputs to selected beneficiaries and featured testimonials from children who received their back-to-school kits.
“We appreciate the continued support of our partner Cargill Philippines as well as the Office of the Municipal Mayor, Office of the Municipal Agriculturist, and Sto. Domingo Multi-Purpose Cooperative, who diligently played an important role in order for us to successfully mount and implement this project,” said Atty. Alberto Jesus Muyot, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Philippines.