About the Program

The High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) is one of the banner programs of the Department of Agriculture created through the Republic Act No. 7900 or the High Value Crops Development Act of 1995. It aims to deliver appropriate services, promote access to local and international markets, and ensure proactive management actions on the demand and supply situation. The program is mandated to contribute to the attainment of food self-sufficiency, economic growth, and enhancement of consumer’s health and welfare.

Through the support and guidance of the HVCDP, the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research leads the strategic management, coordination, and development of breakthroughs in high value crops research for development programs and activities. The bureau coordinates with DA national and regional offices, state universities and colleges, and other research institutions in developing and promoting packages of technologies for various priority high value crop commodities.

Goals

• Increase production, income, and livelihood opportunities among small producers
• Improve access to affordable, safe, and healthy food

Priority High Value Crop Commodities

• Fruits (eg. banana, mango, pineapple)
• Plantation crops (eg. cacao, coffee, rubber)
• Vegetables and legumes (eg. garlic, onion)
• Rootcrops
• Indigenous and regional crops

R4D Priority Areas for 2023-2028

Input

• Improvement of varieties resistant to pests and diseases
• Development and authentication of new and marketable varieties
• Development of strategies for low-cost inputs (eg. alternative cost-effective and efficient fertilizers)
• Development and promotion of quality planting materials
• Micro and macro propagation of planting materials for various priority crops
• Modernization of farm equipment, machineries, and facilities
• Crop germination, collection, conservation, characterization, and profiling
• Multi-location adaptability trials
• Adoption/utilization and promotion of new commercial varieties

Prodution

• Development of pest and disease management protocols
• Intensification of crop diversification and farming systems
• Development and assessment of sustainable production management
• Climate-resilient production systems and agroecosystems
• Sustainable farming practices and protocols
• Precision farming and digital agriculture
• Nutrient optimization and upscaling of appropriate fertilization management

Post-Prodution

• Development of proper postharvest treatment protocols and facilities for efficient and cost-effective handling, storage system, and shelf life extension
• Development, enhancement, and promotion of cultural practices such as organic agriculture and indigenous farming
• Scaling processed products to expand market linkaging and commercialization
• Development and promotion of value-added products

Policy related

• Impact assessment of adopted standards for the specific commodity
• Identification and assessment of supply, market demand, market potential, and consumer preferencesIdentification and assessment of supply, market demand, market potential, and consumer preferences