MANILA: The Japanese government turned over on Tuesday a USD62,247 (about PHP3.6 million) food processing training center in Bombon, Camarines Sur to help local farmers build capacity. The Japanese Embassy in Manila provided the grant to the Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc, which will lead the capacity-building programs for beneficiary farmers. The grant covers the construction of a training facility and procurement of training equipment, and is expected to increase product values and the income of farmers in 10 target communities in the province. According to the embassy, the average income of farmers in the province remains low, partly because many of them do not possess post-harvest processing skills. Japanese Embassy 2nd Secretary Nishimura Tokiko attended the turnover ceremony for the project, together with Pilipinas Shell Foundation executive director Sebastian Quiniones Jr., former vice president Leni Robredo, and other dignitaries. In her message, Nishimura underscored the importance of farmers a nd the need to work together to ensure 'a strong, sustainable, and resilient agricultural sector.' Japan launched the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) in 1989 to help the country reduce poverty and empower communities through grassroots initiatives. 'Japan believes these projects will strengthen the friendship between Japan and the Philippines and contribute to sustaining strategic partnerships between the two countries,' the embassy said. Source: Philippines News Agency