FAO, partners launch nutrition-sensitive food systems programming in BARMM initiative
A first for FAO, the initiative is aimed at promoting the health and nutrition status of the Bangsamoro people through nutrition-sensitive food systems programming.
FAO, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR-BARMM) and the National Nutrition Council, officially kicked-off the project "Strengthening Capacity for Nutrition-Sensitive Food System Programmes" on 15 April through a mixed-mode inception workshop.
The inception workshop was participated in by representatives from FAO, MAFAR-BARMM, and NNC as well as from the University of the Philippines Los Banos, which is collaborating as a technical partner in the project, the provincial and city government of Cotabato, and other BARMM government units such as the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority and the Ministry of Science and Technology. Speaking at the inception workshop, FAO Representative in the Philippines, Ms Kati Tanninen, highlighted the importance of the project in BARMM, saying that it will "help address the daunting challenges of hunger and malnutrition by developing the related capacities of concerned local officials in the Bangsamoro region to plan, design, and implement food systems programs with nutrition at their core. As such, this initiative is envisaged to contribute to the attainment of the goals of the Food Security and Nutrition Roadmap of BARMM launched just last year".
"This project is also historic as this will be FAO’s first time to implement an initiative of this nature in the Philippines," she emphasized.
On the part of MAFAR-BARMM, Mr.Pendatun S. Patarasa, Assistant to the Minister for Special Concerns and OIC-Chief of Fisheries Production, representing Minister Mohammad S Yacob, reiterated the Ministry's support to FAO and the project, emphasizing that "nutrition remains at the heart of the BARMM government's efforts to promote the welfare of the Bangsamoro people".
"Apart from contributing to the Food Security and Nutrition Roadmap of BARMM, the project also links to the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2017-2022, the BARMM Regional Nutrition Action Plan 2017-2022, and the UN SDG 2 of attaining Zero Hunger."
"A healthy citizenry means a brighter future for the Bangsamoro Region. Socioeconomic progress and development will mean nothing if the people are hungry and unhealthy. Nutrition-sensitive food systems programming will help us achieve the dual goal of not only producing enough food for our people but also ensuring that what we produce are healthy and nutritious," he added.
The initiative is aimed at enhancing the health and nutritional status of people in the Bangsamoro region. It will achieve this by adopting community-based, participatory, and nutrition-sensitive food systems approach. The project will focus on evidence-based interventions, capacity building of different ministries on well-coordinated and integrated approach of addressing malnutrition, intensive knowledge and skill development on nutrition programming of MAFAR for sustainable food systems.