Manila, April 28 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) is now advancing the Project Sustainable Agroforestry Farming Enterprise (SAFE) to boost the high-value crops sector in the Philippines.

The agency signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Power Corporation (NPC) and Asian Pyrochem Technologies Inc. (APTI) on Monday.

Project SAFE seeks to advance agroforestry production of key crops like bamboo, abaca, cacao, and coffee, with the integration of carbon financing mechanisms and nature-based solutions, in watershed areas nationwide.

DA Undersecretary for High-Value Crops Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero said the five-year partnership will look at large-scale plantations and the utilization of high-value crops for "...