FAO Philippines and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) formalized their alliance with the signing of a landmark partnership agreement that includes, among others, the implementation of agricultural development projects in the Bangsamoro Region that aims to improve the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers and fisherfolks and their families through agribusiness training and by enhancing agribusiness value chains of key commodities. The projects will also assist in strengthening the capacity of BARMM sectoral ministries on promoting food security, nutrition, and resilient livelihoods in the Bangsamoro region.

The agreement – the first-ever between FAO and the newly established BARMM – was officially signed by Mr Jose Luis Fernandez, FAO Representative in the Philippines, and BARMM Acting Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua on behalf of BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim on 23 September 2019 at the Office of the Chief Minister in Cotabato City.

The development projects include the “Agricultural Training for the Establishment of Peace in Mindanao” – a project funded by the Government of Japan which aims to enhance the agricultural vocational skills of farmers and fisherfolk in the Bangsamoro areas and other post-conflict areas in Mindanao, which they can use for their own agriculture-based livelihoods for employment; the “Support Agriculture and Agribusiness Enterprises in Mindanao for Sustainable Development – a project funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), which aims to sustain livelihood and increase income of farming and fishing households, primarily by enhancing agribusiness value chains of key commodities; and the “Support the new Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) in establishing BARMM in the Philippines” – a project funded by the Government of New Zealand which aims to establish close collaboration and coordination mechanisms with BTA and assist in capacitating the new relevant ministries, particularly on promoting food security, nutrition, and resilient livelihoods in BARMM.

In his address at the ceremonial signing of the partnership agreement, Acting Chief Minister Macacua said that “the Bangsamoro Government is truly appreciative with our joint efforts with FAO in making sure that the lives of our people are lifted and prioritized. After all, their general welfare is the heart of the newly ratified Bangsamoro Organic Law.”

“Our administration, through the promising tenets of moral governance, assures the international community and, most importantly, our constituents, the services and initiatives will be felt on the ground, In Sha Allah,” he added.

Meanwhile, FAOR Jose Luis Fernandez, lauded this new partnership with BARMM, citing that “these FAO projects in BARMM is a testament to our commitment to helping eliminate poverty and hunger and improving the lives of the people of the Bangsamoro Region – a vision shared by our new partner.”

“FAO will continue to support the common good for the people of the Bangsamoro Region and the rest of Mindanao in general, particularly in the areas of agriculture, food security, and nutrition. It is high time that the people of this region reap the benefits of peace and development, which we believe will come sooner rather than later if we all work towards achieving it together, which is the essence of our new partnership with BARMM,” Mr Fernandez added.

The agreement signing was followed by the official inauguration of FAO-Philippines’ new Cotabato Office located at Delcano Street, Rosary Heights 10, in Cotabato City. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was officiated by Mr. Fernandez and Minister Macacua.

The new office, Fernandez said, manifests FAO’s “support not only to these new projects but more so, our unwavering and longer-term commitment to helping realize a peaceful and prosperous Mindanao.”