Following the identification of the Philippines by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) as one of the key countries to work with due to its rich ecological diversity, the IFPRI recently visited the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) to discuss the Fruit and Vegetables for Sustainable Healthy Diets (FRESH) Initiative.
IFPRI delegates said that the Philippines has varied food cultures and complex geography, which pose both opportunities and challenges in bridging farm-to-market systems. Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, IFPRI Country Coordinator for the Philippines, emphasized that the Council was selected as one of the agencies to visit as IFPRI’s key action plans under the Better Diets and Nutrition (BDN) Science Program is to establish networks and broaden the initiative’s reach and impact.
Dr. Neha Kumar, Senior Research Fellow at IFPRI recognized DOST-PCAARRD’s robust institutional framework and multi-sectoral collaboration, which would bring added credibility and technical expertise to the initiative.
FRESH Initiative, now housed under the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR) - BDN Science Program, aims to identify, co-design, and test food systems solutions that address key constraints in delivering sustainable healthy diets and achieving broader nutrition impacts. Dr. Kumar’s visit aimed to explore how terrestrial and aquatic resources, including those supported through ongoing programs of DOST-PCAARRD, can contribute to this global agenda.
Accompanying Dr. Kumar and Dr. Agdeppa was Ms. Jumara Glenn A. Quijada of the DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI).
Dr. Melvin B. Carlos, Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Resource Management and Support Services, expressed DOST-PCAARRD’s strong support to the initiative. He emphasized that the inclusion of other food groups aligns with the Council’s ongoing efforts to advance food and nutrition security, promote sustainable livelihoods, and build climate-resilient communities.
Dr. Leilani D. Pelegrina, Director of the Crops Research Division, shared insights on the Council’s co-creation approach, which encourages collaborative innovation with both local and international institutions. She highlighted current initiatives to promote the use of underutilized indigenous crops such as ‘himbabao’ and ‘taro,’ which are currently being co-developed with the World Vegetable Center. These efforts aim not only to highlight the nutritional and cultural value of underutilized crops but also to encourage their proper collection, documentation, and inventory for future use.
Also present during the meeting was Dr. Lilian G. Bondoc, Director of the Policy Coordination and Monitoring Division (PCMD), who shared relevant processes and mechanisms to support potential partnerships.
The engagement concluded with a mutual commitment to sustain dialogue and identify potential areas of collaboration, particularly in support of promoting sustainable healthy diets in the Philippines. Both parties expressed openness to formalizing the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining their shared goals and interests.