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RICE WATCH ACTION NETWORK,
Title of Project: Farmers Advocacy Coalition and Campaign Build UP (Response Impacts of Rice Tarrification Law (RTL) and on Industry Development) The Rice Watch Action Network (R1) continuously updates itself about the rice industry and the impact on farmers by engaging farmers and government. It has consistently provided its services to farmers in more than 50 local government units, contributing to improving the resiliency of local agricultural system primarily in the field of providing innovative early warning and adaptation actions against the slow onset of climate change. R1 has been actively participating and supporting issues that affect farmers, particularly rice farmers like the Rice Tarrification Law and the discussions and negotiations on protecting the rice industry involving Quantitative Restrictions that have now been lifted. It engages at all levels in favor of farmers and in support of their aspirations. They have also effectively linked farmers and local government units R1 serves with other institutions such as the Department of Agriculture and international donors. The Farmers Advocacy Coalition and Campaign Buildup project is a strategic campaign against the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) while recognizing that its current impacts is clearly a symptom that the Philippines has a weak and vulnerable rice industry and agricultural system. Smallholder and marginalized farmers, a majority of the sector, absorbed price drop shocks brought by the RTL among other inefficiencies of the system already suffering the slow onset of climate change. Concerns of the vulnerable farmers vis-à-vis the RTL are clarified through discussions, while also taking the opportunity to re-establish focus on forward-looking, durable and sustainable solutions to an ailing rice industry.
Ultimately, the project aims to strengthen the resolve and unity among local farmer leaders and organizations across the country.
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