Visitors from AsiaDHRRA and FFTC staff discuss future partnership to alleviate the plight of small-scale farmers in the region.

TAIPEI, TAIWAN - In line with its commitment to contribute to the revitalization of the agriculture sector in the Asian and Pacific (ASPAC) region through rural community development and transformation, FFTC explored a possible partnership with the AsiaDHRRA (Development of Human Resources in Rural Asia) during a recent visit of its Secretary General, Ms. Marlene D. Ramirez, and Program Officer, Ms. Elena V. Rebagay, to Taiwan. In an exploratory meeting with FFTC Director Sing-Hwa Hu and staff, the AsiaDHRRA officials who are based in the Philippines shared their mission to advocate for policy reforms and more responsive programs with governments, intergovernmental bodies, and within the civil society sector toward addressing poverty in the region’s rural areas.

During the meeting, Dir. Hu discussed the Center’s mission and commitment to respond to the technological needs of small-scale farmers in the ASPAC amid the changing global environment. Meanwhile, Ms. Ramirez talked about AsiaDHRRA’s efforts and activities on advocacy for pro-small farmer marketing and trading and sustainable agriculture among participating Asian nations. With the common goal of alleviating the plight of small-scale farmers, future collaborative undertakings between FFTC and AsiaDHRRA can be explored toward contributing to the improvement of rural communities and the attainment of sustainable agriculture in the region.

AsiaDHRRA is a regional partnership of 11 social development networks and organizations in 10 Asian nations that envisions Asian rural communities that are just, free, prosperous, living in peace, and working in solidarity towards self-reliance.