Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced its intention to secure multi-billion-dollar foreign financing to enhance the country's agriculture sector. At a press conference on the sidelines of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo Expo 2024, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa revealed that the country is planning 12 to 14 new financing projects in collaboration with the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the French government. According to Philippines News Agency, these initiatives include the USD1 billion Philippine Sustainable Agriculture Transformation project, which aims to become the largest project within the department. De Mesa explained that the project would involve a disbursement-linked indicator, requiring the department to commit to certain policy reforms within the government and the DA. The pre-appraisal mission for this project is set to begin next week, with an agreement signing anticipated in June 2025. Priority will be given to agriculture infrastructure projects that have long suffered from a lack of financing. The DA is also conducting a scoping mission with the World Bank for a USD300 million project under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Access to Finance and Climate Resiliency Project. This initiative aims to support MSMEs affected by calamities, helping them to recover with the partnership of the Department of Finance, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, Agricultural Credit Policy Council, and the Insurance Commission, among others. The Asian Development Bank has approved a USD250-million solar irrigation project and a USD140-million grant for project preparations in 18 ports nationwide, including pipe irrigation systems and an aquaculture project under the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Additionally, the DA, in collaboration with the French government, plans to fund 300 farm-to-market bridges nationwide, valued at 350 million euros, or over USD366 million. De Mesa expressed gratitude for Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.'s efforts to secure additional financing from bilateral and multilateral sources to address the funding gaps in the Department of Agriculture. Currently, the DA has more than PHP208 billion in funds allocated for 2024.