Sri Lanka, Sarangani share microenterprise knowledge

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

 

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 24, 2013) – A 26-person delegation from Sri Lanka is visiting Sarangani for “knowledge sharing” on the implementation of its internationally-funded rural microenterprises program that sought to lessen poverty incidence in the province.

 

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1977 dedicated to eradicating rural poverty, is supporting this Rural Microenterprise Promotions Programme (RuMEPP) in Rome, Italy and Philippines.

 

Sarangani is among the 20 Philippine provinces piloting RuMEPP.

 

RuMEPP seeks to lower rural poverty thru increased economic development, job creation, and enhancement of incomes for poor rural households by encouraging profitable and sustainable micro enterprises (MEs).

 

Governor Migs Dominguez said though the national government always measures its gross domestic product (GDP) “in large billion dollar investments yet it failed to note that 80 percent of the GDP in the country is made up of small micro enterprises” that operate day to day.

 

Therefore, Sarangani microenterprises are trying to bring inclusive development, inclusive job generation thru microenterprises focusing on what advantages this community is at and looking at market-driven approach so that specific communities servicing specific requirements cope up with the demands of consumers.

 

The governor said having “adequate micro financing” is most crucial in shepherding these communities. Sri Lanka and Sarangani may consider each other’s knowledge on micro finance enterprises.

 

Delegation team leader Prathapa Singhe said Sri Lanka is focused more on the fishing industry. He hoped to learn from their three-day tour (April 23-25) more experiences in the various micro enterprises implemented in the province which they could apply in building “very good sustainable development.”

 

Sri Lanka is a beneficiary of IFAD-funded rural microenterprise projects where its National Agribusiness Development Programme’s direction is aimed at providing small farmers with necessary financial and technological assistance, engaging them to actively participate in agricultural value chains, and eliminate poverty and improve the livelihoods in the rural sector.

 

As a pilot project, MEs in Sarangani formally started in 2009 but most of the projects were implemented in 2010.

 

When RuMEPP came in, the poverty incidence of Sarangani was at 62.1 percent which was at that time included among the poorest in the country.

 

In 2011, however, Department of Trade and Industry provincial director Engr. Nenita Barroso reported Sarangani’s ranking went down to 46 percent which she pointed out RuMEPP projects “contributed also to the lowering of our poverty in Sarangani.”

 

From the 12 priority sectors indentified for Sarangani, RuMEPP only focused its support to the vegetable industry, processed foods, crops, bamboo, banana and coconut. In the entire country there are 34 priority industry clusters identified while Region 12 has 25.

 

MEs implemented in convergence with both the private and public sectors since 2010 have all been completed according to Barroso. She cited 2,134 micro entrepreneur recipients for the project and a total of 2,497 jobs created in the province. (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 24-25, 2013)