Dr. Gella Patria L. Abella, director of the Center for Climate Change and Environmental Management (CCCEM) of Central Luzon State University (CLSU), participated in the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Multicountry Observational Study Mission on Productivity Gainsharing in Agriculture held in Ilam, Nepal on January 7-9, 2026.

Dr. Abella joined the three-day study mission as a scholarship grantee after being nominated by the Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The study mission aimed to examine productivity gainsharing practices in agriculture, particularly in crops, dairy, and agritourism, and to assess models that promote fair and inclusive distribution of benefits among farmers, cooperatives, and agribusinesses.

The activity aimed at productivity gains sharing as a mechanism to address persistent inequities in agricultural value chains, where primary producers often receive limited returns despite productivity improvements. Discussions were anchored on the APO’s 2025 report, Advancing Shared Prosperity: Best Practices in Productivity Gainsharing in Asia’s Agrifood Sector, which highlights the role of gainsharing in advancing equity, efficiency, and sustainability in agrifood systems.

Nepal was showcased as a learning site due to its progress in high-value cash crops such as tea and cardamom, innovations in the dairy industry, and the growing potential of agritourism. Through field observations and discussions, participants examined cooperative models, contract farming arrangements, and farmer and producer organizations that support value addition, market expansion, and improved livelihoods in rural communities.

The activity was implemented by Nepal’s National Productivity and Economic Development Centre and gathered 35 participants from APO member economies.