Internally displaced Bangsamoro youth and women smallholder farmers find ways to earn even amidst uncertain times
In the restive region of the Bangsamoro, women and the youth are among the most vulnerable and affected by conflicts and unrest, limiting their opportunities and potentials for livelihoods and economic development. But an initiative supported by the Government of Australia is trying to address this situation, building the capacities of youth and women so that they may be empowered to stand on their own and be productive members of society.
Maguindanao province in the Bangsamoro region, Philippines is one of the most conflict-affected provinces in the country. Armed fighting and clan wars, also known as ‘rido,’ have been displacing hundreds of families from 2008 to 2020.
When families flee, crops and farm animals are left behind. As displacement aggravates the impoverished situation of low-income families, prices of basic commodities go up and income sources continue to be depleted. Also negatively affected are their food security, nutrition status and children’s access to education. Women and children who comprise 42 percent and 39 percent of displaced populations are the most vulnerable to gender-based violence, and economic distress and marginalization.
To respond to this, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFAP), in partnership with FAO, is jointly undertaking a 24-month project entitled “Resilient Livelihoods development for women and youth Internally Displaced Populations (IDPs) in Maguindanao.”
Covering the areas of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Guindulungan, Talitay, Datu Saudi Ampatuan and Shariff Saydona Mustapha, the project consists of several batches of Training of Trainers (TOT) and community rollouts on resilient vegetable growing and food processing skills for in-demand and uniquely Bangsamoro food products, community organizing, community business development and financial literacy, branding, and packaging, among others.
In coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) in the Bangsamoro region and the local governments concerned, RLD is made possible through the generous support of the Government of Australia.
TOTS and community rollouts
The TOTs already conducted in the past include Community-Based Organization (CBO) Organizing on December 13-15, 2022, Vegetable Gardening from February 13-17, 2023, and Banana Chips and Other Fried Foods Processing from February 20 to 24, 2023.
From 13-18 March 2023 the TOT on Food Processing on Bangsamoro Condiments was held at the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) in Tantangan, South Cotabato. More than 40 IDP women and youth master trainers learned the high-quality standards in Bangsamoro condiments processing. This activity is the third of the series of Agricultural Livelihoods Capacity Building for the thirty (30) Community-based Organizations in the five (5) municipalities. This TOT was capped by field visits to the successful enterprises of award-winning Kablon Farms and locally popular Lolit’s condiments.
The Agricultural Training Institute Region XII is the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved training facility on Food Processing and the appropriate venue for the said activity. Ms. Abigail May Garcia, FAO Food Processing Specialist led the capacity-building of the women and youth teams organized among the project sites.
In the training, participants went through lessons on Basic Food Safety and Current Good Manufacturing Practices; Food Safety Law; Traceability in Food Products ; Chili Garlic Sauce, Palapa Coconut and Sakurab (Moro indigenous condiment), Sinamak (Spiced Vinegar), Baling (Sauteed Shrimp) with Gata), Sweet Chili Sauce processing; Basic Labelling Requirements; Basic Costing; Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) experience, milestones, and challenges; Teaching Demonstration for the Community Roll-out; and, Action Planning for the Community Roll-out.
A resident of flood-prone and conflict-affected municipality of Datu Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao province, Johairen K. Unotan knows how difficult it is for young mothers of low-income families to find income when crops get flooded and drought or prolonged dry spells happen.
“There are many young mothers I know who are not ready for the economic difficulties of having a family. We can help them cope with lack of food and livelihood,” 22-year-old mother Johairen says.
Azmah K. Esmail, a 20-year-old female youth leader in Talitay municipality, says that she is looking forward to forming resilient source of income for the community-based organization they are forming. “We are using locally grown crops that we were used to only selling as raw. Now we are more confident in processing condiments that are in-demand such as Chili-Garlic sauce,” Azmah enthuses.
They are also planning to produce more of their own local preserved foods, including various versions of their coconut-based “palapa.”
“In the near future, we hope to produce processed foods that follow food safety standards and have consistent quality and durable packaging with longer shell life,” Azmah adds.
Johairen and Azmah, along with other mothers and young women, were participants to the “Training of Trainers (TOT) on Food Processing for Bangsamoro Condiments and Preserved Foods.”
In addition to hands-on learning and practicum in food safety and cooking demonstrations, the TOT included visits to the world-recognized organic food products manufacturer Kablon Farms, and the local manufacturer of the bestselling condiments many areas in Mindanao Lolit’s Brands.
Dedication and discipline
“Do not forget to steam the food containers,” Abigail May Garcia, Food Scientist and Sustainability Consultant of FAO reminds everyone. Food safety and shell life packaging techniques that Garcia teaches follow the global standards for Good Manufacturing Practices.
“We have to ensure high standards so the community-based organizations that will be formed can be ready even for accreditation later on,” Garcia explains. Discipline should always be there. This is particularly important in food processing, she adds.
During Ramadan, “we will be cooking and selling at night so we can test our products and begin to see who will like our food. This way, we will not forget what we learned before we do the rollouts to teach others what we learned,” participant Noraisa Sangeban Alon of Guindulungan says.
The TOT participants Sarah Abdul Usop and Noraima Dicolano of Datu Odin Sinsuat plan to test their skills first and listen to feedback so they can continue to improve and develop their products.
“Young women and even young men can do so much more than just get married or have children early,” young women participants Laga Limbang Thong and Lany Sanayatin Sansaluna of Shariff Saydona Mustapha echoed.
“We especially thank the Government of Australia for helping young people like us. Through this project, we learn that even in uncertain times, we can still find ways to help earn for the family during our spare time and continue our studies,” Azmah concludes.