#VCA_Rice | To kickstart the Regional Value Chain Analysis (VCA) for the rice industry, the Department of Agriculture 12, through its PRDP I-Plan component called its Technical Working Group for an inception meeting today, October 14, in Koronadal City. 
As part of the preparations, the group conducted a mock interview with Trinidad Quinoviva, a rice farmer from Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City. This exercise aimed to simulate real-world interview scenarios, providing a safe space for enumerators to practice and refine their skills ahead of the upcoming Key Informant Interviews (KII) and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) scheduled for October and November. 
The agenda also covered the rationale for the VCA on rice, the outline of its sections, assigned responsibilities, and set timelines and targets. Methodologies for the KII and FGD were finalized.
Using the VCA framework, this analysis will explore the rice value chain in the region, assess value additions, identify constraints, and propose strategies to enhance the competitiveness of the rice industry and its key segments.
Participants involved in drafting the VCA for rice include representatives from the following groups: Rice Program, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM), Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA), Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), PRDP-I-REAP and Research Division.