The Japanese embassy has donated agriculture and aquaculture inputs for farmers and fisherfolks of three Bohol towns affected by typhoon “Odette” in 2021.

Tachikawa Jumpei, First Secretary and Agriculture Attaché of the Embassy, turned over the ready-to-lay Bohol native chicken, assorted lowland vegetable packets, fertilizers, feeds, milkfish fingerlings and sets of drift gillnet to the beneficiaries in a ceremony last 19 March, witnessed by Ubay City Mayor Constantino Reyes, President Carlos P. Garcia City Mayor Fernando Estavilla, Food and Agriculture Organization Representative in the Philippines Lionel Dabbadie, Department of Agriculture officials and local government officials.

Thirty units of water pumps will be distributed to community-based organizations in the three towns to support the irrigation needs of farmers experiencing rainfall reduction by 60 percent due to El Niño.

Along with the inputs, the beneficiaries also received capacity buildings, including livelihood training and capacity building on climate information systems or early warning system facilities.

The initiative by Japan aims to restore the livelihoods and enhance the resilience of said farmers and fisherfolks.

Typhoon “Odette” caused substantial damage in the region’s agriculture sector. According to FAO’s rapid assessment in Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) and Region XIII (CARAGA), there has been significant damage to coconut production and fishermen were unable to continue fishing due to damage to their boats, equipment and gear.

Recognizing the urgent need for assistance, Japan pledged a $2-million assistance partnering with the FAO of the United Nations to address the plight of the farmers and fisherfolks in Bohol, Surigao del Norte and Southern Leyte.

The Japanese government hopes to inspire impacted people to rebuild from the damages caused by the typhoon.