(Front, left to right) Deputy Director Hwang Jaesang of KOICA, Minister Mohammad Yacob of MAFAR-BARMM,and Director Arlan Mangelen of the DA’s Regional Field Office 12 hold up copies of the signed project resolution and Project Implementation Plan.

FAO Philippines, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR-BARMM), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Korea International Development Agency (KOICA), held the inception meeting of the “Support to Agriculture and Agribusiness Enterprises in Mindanao for Sustainable Development” project on 24 February at the ACE Hotel and Suites in Pasig City.

The project, funded by KOICA, aims to contribute to the attainment of sustainable peace and development and inclusive growth in Mindanao through support to the improvement of agriculture and fisheries-based livelihoods, and accelerated agriculture-based enterprises. FAO, MAFAR-BARMM, and DA Regional Field Office XII are jointly implementing the initiative.

The project will focus on increasing productivity and integration of the beneficiaries in the agriculture value chains through the adoption of improved technologies, provision of machineries and equipment and enhanced market linkages. It targets to benefit 10 740 farming and fishing households in the areas of Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Cotabato City when it ends in December 2021.

The Project Coordination Committee (PCC) has been organized and is co-chaired by MAFAR Minister Mohammad S. Yacob and Director Arlan Mangelen of DA’s Regional Field Office XII. It is membered by Hon. Governor Nancy Catamco of North Cotabato, Hon. Governor Bai Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu of Maguindanao, FAO Representative ad interim in the Philippines Ms. Xiangjun Yao, and KOICA Country Director Mr. Song Minhyeon.

According to Ismael E. Trasmonte, Jr., FAO Project Team Leader, the committee is responsible for providing general oversight and coordination of the project.

During the inception meeting, members of the project team headed by Mr Trasmonte presented the Project Implementation Plan (PIP), highlighting its agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and disaster risk reduction and climate change action components as well as the mechanisms for implementation.

After the presentations, Mr Trasmonte endorsed the PIP to the PCC through a resolution. After careful deliberation and discussions of issues and concerns, PCC co-Chairs’ Yacob and Mangelen approved the PIP.

In his address to the meeting delegates, Minister Yacob said the approved PIP shall mainly serve as a guide for the project implementers in ensuring the smooth and systematic implementation of the project activities.

Also delivering messages of support at the inception meeting were KOICA Deputy Country Director Hwang Jaesang and Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) Ms. Tamara Duran.