The DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research's (BAR) initiative, Climate Resilient Agriculture and Fisheries through Transformative Research for Development (CRAFT R4D) Medium Term Plan for 2024-2028, is a forward-thinking approach aimed to safeguard the Philippines' agriculture and fisheries sector against the impacts of climate change. This plan focuses on prioritizing research for development (R4D) interventions, building institutional capacities, and fostering partnerships to secure a climate resilient future for the agriculture and fisheries of the country. This comprehensive plan is a significant step contributing to a more secure and sustainable food system in the Philippines.

The CRAFT R4D Medium Term Plan 2024-2028 is a result of a series of consultations, workshops, and interviews, engaging a diverse group of stakeholders, including researchers, industry experts, and policy specialists from both public and private institutions, as well as local and international partners.

As a vessel for change, DA-BAR steers CRAFT R4D by integrating in the plan a roster of transformative tasks for the bureau, a robust Results Based Monitoring and Evaluation System, and a proactive and strategic communication plan.

The integration of climate resiliency into the R4D budget is DA-BAR’s advocacy. This is to effectively implement the strategies presented in the medium term plan, capitalizing on policy interventions, resource mobilization, institutional mechanisms, and monitoring and evaluation.

The bureau encourages all its partners and stakeholders to make use of this document as reference in undertaking R4DE programs and projects transforming the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Sector towards food and nutrition security amidst climate change.

The medium term plan was developed through the technical assistance of Asian Development Bank (ADB) TA 10009 PHI-Accelerating Climate Resilience in Agriculture, Natural Resource and the Environment. The TA is being provided for the Climate Change Action Plan Program Subprogram 2 in collaboration with NIRAS, Inc., Agence Française de Développement, and French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development.

The CRAFT R4D Medium Term Plan for 2024-2028 was presented to R4D partners and stakeholders during the 2nd National Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Exhibition on 5 June 2024 in Cagayan De Oro City. The soft copy is now available at DA-BAR’s website and can be accessed through this link: CRAFT R4D

For more details, you may contact Ms. Marnelie Subong of the DA-BAR CRAFT R4D Team at ccr4d@bar.gov.ph.